A comprehensive survey recently released by RAND Corporation on Sept. 12 highlights that 66% of U.S. teachers feel their base salary is not adequate, a sentiment that significantly contrasts with the 39% of other working adults in the country who feel similarly. The surveyed teachers suggested a need for a roughly $17,000 boost in their base pay, which translates to approximately a 27% pay increase. This desired increment aligns with the "teacher pay penalty," representing the gap between educators' salaries and those of other workers with similar education levels.
"Most teachers feel overworked and underpaid, but we didn't know what teachers considered to be fair pay or how the amount of their desired pay is related to cost of living and the working conditions in their schools," said Elizabeth D. Steiner, lead author of the report and policy researcher at RAND.
The study, guided by Steiner, delved deep into public school teachers' perspectives on their salaries, working hours and how these factors affect their intentions to possibly quit their jobs. One key finding highlighted that not only do low salaries concern teachers, but extended working hours also significantly contribute to their job-related stress. The average teacher worked 53 hours a week during the school year, seven hours more than the average American working adult. About a quarter of the hours educators work every week go uncompensated.
Racial disparities were also brought to light, with black teachers expressing greater intentions to quit their jobs than their white counterparts. These educators reported more extended working hours, slightly lower base salaries and were less satisfied with their base salary when compared to white teachers.
The report, titled "All Work and No Pay—Teachers' Perceptions of Their Pay and Hours Worked: Findings from the 2023 State of the American Teacher Survey," funded by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, recommends increasing teacher salaries, decreasing the hours worked—especially those that are uncontracted and unpaid—and enhancing the overall working conditions as viable solutions to improve teacher retention.
