WESTFIELD – Many of Westfield State University’s education students voiced their anxiety for future job prospects as a pay gap persists between Massachusetts teachers’ salaries and the state’s median income.
For the over 350 students enrolled in Westfield’s education programs, their future salaries are no mystery, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that a teacher’s average salary in Massachusetts is only 57.4% of the rest of the state’s median income.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association reported that the yearly median income as of 2021 for K-12 teachers was $47,396. The same year, the Federal Reserve Bank reported that the Massachusetts median income was $86,570.
But that doesn’t mean it comes without worry. Students pursuing degrees in education know the reality of possible second jobs and financial strain.
“I hate to say that I don’t want to teach at a district that’s not as wealthy; those kids need teachers too, but I also need a paycheck I can live off of,” said Ryan Tangstrom, a student studying Secondary Education, with a concentration in History.
Tangstrom is not alone in this thought process, as other Westfield students share the same sentiment:
“Everyone knows being a teacher means you really won’t be making a lot of money. Most of the teachers I know make the same joke, ‘I didn’t become a teacher for the money’ but that’s also really just the truth,” said Addison Audet, a sophomore majoring in History education.
“It’s discouraging to realize that people who shape the next generation often earn barely half of the state’s median income. At the same time, it reinforces my belief that we need stronger advocacy for fair teacher compensation and better support for educators overall,” said Hannah Miller, a sophomore English major with a minor in secondary education.
“I have compared salaries between school districts in the area where I am from. I feel that this, as well as the school environment and values, will most likely have an impact on where I choose to teach,” said Emily Balzotti, a sophomore, majoring in elementary education.
The reality of educators’ choice in a school district falls largely on the wealth of that district. Education Week discusses how higher property taxes and higher general income in a district are correlated with higher teacher pay, as property taxes are a large portion of teachers paychecks.
The National Council on Teacher Quality reports that areas with low income are subject to 2% more teacher vacancies than those with low poverty rates.
“My work-life balance is often unhealthy. The job as a teacher is hard enough. Having a union leadership role on top of that just further imbalances the scales. Both positions have their positives, and both have their stressors,” said Aaron Chernisky, an English teacher currently in his 16th year of teaching, and his 8th year serving as President of Norfolk County High School Federation of Teachers.
“Burnout is real. If a teacher burns out, it is unhealthy for them and tough to give students your best,” Chernisky said.
The actions of teacher unions are integral across the country, as they allow for teachers to have bargaining power and job security in their districts. Still, unions can only do so much depending on a district’s resources.
“The funding model for schools must change. Schools are often cutting staffing to balance budgets, which then further stresses teachers,” Chernisky said.
Students aren’t only worrying about the stretch of their future paychecks; the same is true of established members of the profession.
“The original investment into the necessary education to become a teacher, including degrees and licenses, is hard to fathom. For many, it’s hard to justify that career path in light of the cost,” Chernisky said.
“Additionally, teachers must continue their learning throughout their careers. On the one hand, this makes sense since education is constantly evolving. However, time and money are limited commodities for educators. Something is always sacrificed,” Chernisky said.
“Getting my Master’s is going to be a financial burden, but for a lot of teachers it means a raise once it is finished, so it’s scary to add more onto my loans, but I understand it is a necessary step towards becoming an educator in Mass,” Audet said.
“Teachers must consider things like cost of living as well as savings and other expenses like classroom supplies that are commonly out-of-pocket for teachers,” Balzotti said.
These future educators are prepared to be the ones who compensate for their low paychecks.
“Teachers often have to manage their income carefully, especially when balancing student loans, living expenses, and classroom costs that sometimes come out of their own pockets. Having strong financial literacy skills helps teachers budget effectively, plan for the future, and make informed decisions,” Miller said.
“I always planned on doing summer school in the first years while also working side jobs, especially if I’ll be single salary, but that doesn’t mean teachers should have to do that; it’s just the unfortunate reality for many educators,” Audet said.
Even amid union calls for higher wages for K-12 educators across Massachusetts, the National Education Association reports that teachers continue to face a 77-cent-per-hour pay gap relative to the median state average.
