What do private school teachers earn?

[Anonymous]

My kid just started at a private school (from public) and I’m just curious, what do private school teachers earn? I can find out what administrators make on the school’s 990s, but what is the general range for teachers? Glassdoor wasn’t particularly helpful either. No excuses here, I know this is none of my business, I’m just being nosy.

[Anonymous]

At our school, $55k-$75k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our school, $55k-$75k

What school?

In Western MD, way less than that

[Anonymous]

It will vary by school, but in general they earn meaningfully less than public school teachers.

[Anonymous]

Not enough, and the benefits are terrible.

I taught for many years at a Big Three private, and when my child was denied financial aid, that was the last straw.

I have much better pay and benefits through MCPS. And I no longer feel like the help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It will vary by school, but in general they earn meaningfully less than public school teachers.

+1 I've taught at two of the "big" East Coast privates, and earned significantly less than that of my public school friends. One of these was one of the HADES schools, and people were always shocked at how low teachers' salaries were; I had to correct friends a few times when they voiced their beliefs that "now you make a good salary."

[Anonymous]

Isn't there some tuition discount for the employees at most privates? That has to be a MAJOR plus.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will vary by school, but in general they earn meaningfully less than public school teachers.

+1 I've taught at two of the "big" East Coast privates, and earned significantly less than that of my public school friends. One of these was one of the HADES schools, and people were always shocked at how low teachers' salaries were; I had to correct friends a few times when they voiced their beliefs that "now you make a good salary."

Why do people choose to work at private schools then? My DC is at a private, she's had some very good teachers, so I'm glad they're not all taking off for public, but you'd think the better ones would head to public if it's that much better.

The private school teachers do seem, on the whole, to be on the younger side, as compared to public. And there is quite a bit of turnover among the assistant teachers, but that may be a function of youth as well.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I'm still curious about actual salary numbers. Does anyone have any insight on the actual salaries? And when you mention that the benefits suck, what does that mean? They don't get dental? No 401K?

[Anonymous]

BFF teaches HS private in the DC area (not at a big 3). She has a Phd in her subject and makes $80k. She gets about 50% tuition assistance for her son.

She laments about benefits but likes the ability to teach in a more collegiate manner than having to teach to specific standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'm still curious about actual salary numbers. Does anyone have any insight on the actual salaries? And when you mention that the benefits suck, what does that mean? They don't get dental? No 401K?

15:55 here---BFFs health insurance for her and her son is about $800/mo. She doesn't get the MCPS pension that some teachers have. She has a 401K with a 3% match. She gets 3 days off when school is in session and they can't be before or after a holiday. She does not have short disability. I'm not sure about her prescription coverage but I know she spends a lot compared to me. Her in network deductible is also very high. There is no adoption assistance.

[Anonymous]

At many if not most privates, salaries for teachers and other instructional staff range from US minimum wage to about $60k per year for a very senior teacher with a substantial record. Only a few of the really monied private schools pay almost as well as public school divisions pay. Most private schools contribute little, if anything, to retirement. Some have stripped-down basic health insurance only, a number offer no disability income insurance. Life insurance amounts (if they provide life insurance) are very limited, often just the IRS safe-harbor amount (which is now $50k). Some offer no supplemental accident insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will vary by school, but in general they earn meaningfully less than public school teachers.

+1 I've taught at two of the "big" East Coast privates, and earned significantly less than that of my public school friends. One of these was one of the HADES schools, and people were always shocked at how low teachers' salaries were; I had to correct friends a few times when they voiced their beliefs that "now you make a good salary."

Why do people choose to work at private schools then? My DC is at a private, she's had some very good teachers, so I'm glad they're not all taking off for public, but you'd think the better ones would head to public if it's that much better.

The private school teachers do seem, on the whole, to be on the younger side, as compared to public. And there is quite a bit of turnover among the assistant teachers, but that may be a function of youth as well.

Flexibility in content, smaller classes, shorter hours/school years (usually) you don't have to worry as much about major behavioral issues because they aren't required to accept/keep everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I'm still curious about actual salary numbers. Does anyone have any insight on the actual salaries? And when you mention that the benefits suck, what does that mean? They don't get dental? No 401K?

15:55 here---BFFs health insurance for her and her son is about $800/mo. She doesn't get the MCPS pension that some teachers have. She has a 401K with a 3% match. She gets 3 days off when school is in session and they can't be before or after a holiday. She does not have short disability. I'm not sure about her prescription coverage but I know she spends a lot compared to me. Her in network deductible is also very high. There is no adoption assistance.

To compare, I pay about $600 for insurance (HMO, very low copay and Rx) and dental for a family in a public school district in VA

[Anonymous]

My mom taught for decades at a K-8, was beloved, had a masters and zillions of CE credits, and barely topped $40k. Younger teachers hired later probably made more. But she loved her job and my dad made money so she could do it. There is a lot of freedom to teaching in private school.