Most teachers earn a weekly salary that varies greatly by location and experience, but in the US, the average is around $1,400-$1,500 weekly for a roughly $74,000 annual salary, while Australian teachers might start around $1,500-$1,800 weekly (approx. $79k-$92k/year) and reach $2,200-$3,600+ weekly ($110k-$188k/year) with experience, depending heavily on the state and seniority, with higher pay for leadership roles.
According to 2022 data from the BLS, the mean salary in America was $58,720, up from $51,168 in 2020. This is higher than the national mean, but lower than the bottom 25th percentile of teachers, which often represents those teachers just starting out in their career.
School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in NSW earn between $75,000 and $122,000 annually, depending on their experience and qualifications. Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in NSW see a starting salary of around $85,000 on average.
Graduate teachers can expect to earn a starting salary of $85,610 per year on level 2.1, increasing one level for each year of service up to a maximum of $124,016. Senior teachers earn a salary of $128,697 while above that, level 3 classroom teachers can earn between $133,560-$142,793 per year.
Research studies have indicated that teaching is one of the most stressful occupations (Johnson et al., 2005; Herman et al., 2020; Greenier et al., 2021).
Professors in universities and colleges are among the highest-paid teaching professionals in the education sector. In addition to teaching, professors are expected to have in-depth knowledge of their subject matter and conduct independent research to advance their field.
According to research from the National Center for Education Statistics, about 55 percent of teachers begin their teaching career in their early 20s. The rest begin their career later in life. Specifically, about 20 percent of teachers start between ages 26 and 30.
Best Paid Teachers in the World
From September 2025, the starting salary for teachers in England entering the profession will be a minimum of £32,916. For those teaching in London, this could be as much as £40,317.
Below is a list of the teacher salary by country to help you decide where you can work as a teacher.
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European Teachers in the best-paying countries take home between $48,805 (Netherlands starting) and $126,576 (Luxembourg peak). Switzerland secondary educators earn an average of $80,000 to $100,000. Germany earns an average of $62,800, and Denmark earns an average $57,267 annually.
Let's explore the best countries to work for teachers, their eligibility, salaries, and working environment:
Switzerland. Out of all of the places on our list, Switzerland is the country with the highest salary in the world. Indeed, Switzerland is synonymous with high salaries and low taxes, making it a haven for high-net-worth individuals.
Learners do 70% of the talking and 30% of the listening.
Learners, not teachers, must be center stage, actively learning. This can't, and won't, happen when you are doing most of the talking and learners are doing most of the listening.
Shania Muhammad from Oklahoma made history by becoming America's youngest full-time salaried teacher at just 16, after earning two associate degrees and a bachelor's degree by age 15.
In general, the answer is no. People start and change careers at varying stages of their life. Grandma Moses is famous for starting painting in her late 70s. According to the results of a survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between ages 18-52, people hold an average of 12.3 jobs in their lifetimes.
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Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan – The Philosopher President. Known as one of the best teachers of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a scholar, philosopher, and the second President of India. His birthday is celebrated as Teachers' Day every year, honoring his contribution as one of the greatest teachers the nation has ever seen.
What jobs make $300,000 per year?
Average close to €40,000 in the EU
Among EU countries, it ranges from €15,387 in Bulgaria to €82,969 in Luxembourg, which is 5.4 times higher. Besides Luxembourg, the salary average is above €50,000 in five more countries: Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, Austria, and Germany.
Teaching abroad in Europe offers diverse opportunities whether you're looking for cultural immersion or career progression. Spain, Italy, and France are excellent destinations for teachers with bachelor's degrees looking for extensive job availability and cultural integration opportunities.
Building a career in your 20s leaves plenty of time for deep-dive professional development. High school teachers in their 20s may find they relate more easily to their students. Young teachers in elementary education bring energy and creativity to the position.