Texas is one of the states that sought to offer better salaries to teachers through House Bill 1548. House Bill 1548, introduced by Rep. Talarico, hopes to raise the minimum salary for all Texas teachers to $70,000.
Progress is noticed will several school districts increasing their teacher salaries for the 2023-2024 school year. For instance, Tyler Independent School District, Texas, increased its teacher pay to a starting salary of $50,500. Those with ten years of teaching or more will enjoy a greater increase to $60,000 or more annually.
The longer you stay in the field as a Texas teacher,, the higher your salary. Additionally, it is common for schools to offer sign-on bonuses to first-year teachers, as well as, higher salaries for those certified in a high need area.
This article details how much teachers make in Texas, the different factors affecting their pay and the job outlook.
Current Salary for Teachers in Texas
In 2021-2022, the minimum annual teacher salary in Texas with no experience was $33,600; with 10 years of experience, $45,500; and with 20 or more years of experience, $54,500. Experience level, therefore, significantly influences teacher salaries in Texas. The more years of service, your salary will likely be higher.
Schools may also offer sign-on bonuses to first-year teachers and higher payment rates to teachers certified in high-demand subject areas.
Factors Influencing Teacher Salaries in Texas
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) stated that the average Texas teacher base for the 2019-2020 school year was $57,091. But, this amount varies significantly depending on several factors:
- The number of years of experience
- The location of your teaching institution
- The grade level taught
- The subject taught
- The size of the district
Experience
Teachers’ salaries in Texas largely depended on experience level. Your lowest pay as an entry-level teacher in Texas is $33,360 annually, gradually increasing to at least $54,540 annually after around 20 years.
Teachers with long teaching histories can make at least $70,000 annually as tenured educators. One of the significant perks of a teacher’s career is itching tenure after about three years. Tenure grants you a permanent teaching position for as long as you wish to remain in the profession. The significance of tenure to your salary is that it promises a gradual increment and job security.
Location
The physical location of your institution of service greatly contributes to your salary. Teachers’ salaries within the same state will vary depending on the city they are teaching in. Teachers in West Texas earn less than their colleagues in other states. This discrepancy is majorly influenced by the cost of living in these regions.
Teachers’ salaries also vary between school districts. For instance, schools in the urban regions pay slightly less than those in the suburban regions. Those schools in the rural districts pay their teachers the least.
The highest-paying cities in Texas include:
- Houston
- Deer Park
- Dallas
- Austin
The campus type and union positions also influence this salary disparity between locations. Also, public schools pay more than private schools and charter schools within the same school district. Teachers unionized through the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) may earn more than their non-unionized counterparts due to the union’s bargaining capacity.
School type
The grade level and the age group of learners you are handling will also influence your salary. In the U.S., high school teachers have the highest salaries, while preschool teachers earn the least.
Though minimal, there is also a noticeable difference between primary and secondary teachers’ salaries. High salaries for high school teachers may be attributed to the more time they spend grading assignments outside school hours.
Charter schools and international schools may also pay higher than public schools because they are privately managed and may have more resources.
Job Outlook for Teachers in Texas
The demand for Texas teachers is continuing to grow. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, demand will increase by 11% in Texas vs 4% nationwide up to 2028.
Districts need teachers now more than ever. If you want to become a Texas teacher and make a difference, now is the time to choose the work worth it. Respond to the demand and choose to teach.
How Much Do Teachers Make in Texas?
Teachers’ pay in Texas can vary based on various factors, such as years of experience, grade levels, school districts, and cities. For example, the highest teacher salaries in Texas fluctuate from $66,000 to $86,600. Additionally, Texas teachers working in Houston earn $60,000 on average, while those in Austin may earn $55,000 on average.
How Much Do Substitute Teachers Make in Texas?
How much substitute teachers make in Texas can vary depending on campus, district, and the specific area in Texas where they are teaching. Substitute Texas teachers can make up to $100 daily if they are Texas certified. Texas teachers on long-term assignments can make up to $125 per day.
How Much Do High School Teachers Make?
High school teachers, also known as secondary school teachers, offer curriculum instruction to learners between 14- 18 years of age in the ninth through the twelfth grade.
High school teachers must hold a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued teaching certificate. The alternative certification program can also help professionals hoping to transition into teaching.
High school teachers are essential in instructing learners, preparing them for college and the labor market. Their responsibilities also involve teaching small groups, mentoring individual learners, evaluating learner performance, grading tests, and preparing for state tests.
The employment of high school teachers is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2021 to 2031. The mean annual wage for high school teachers in Texas was $55,818 by June 2023, the range falling between $46,612 and $68,074.
How Much Do Elementary Teachers Make in Texas?
Sources report that the starting salary for teachers in Texas teaching elementary school is around $56,000 annually. Other teachers in Texas may receive higher pay due to teaching children in higher grades or having more experience in the field.
How Much Do Teachers Make an Hour in Texas?
On average, Texas teachers make about $12.79 per hour. Pay typically fluctuates based on experience level, grade level, location and more.
How Much Do Special Education Teachers Make in Texas?
The teacher salary in Texas for special education teachers is around $58,000 annually. Due to the demand for special ed teachers, they tend to get paid more.
Special ed teachers have a variety of responsibilities that may differ from regular teachers. They may have to work outside the classroom and teach their students basic skills or an adjusted curriculum.
Salaries For Other Teaching Roles in Texas
In Texas, the salaries of other teaching roles significantly differ from those of primary and secondary school teachers. For instance, on average, substitute teachers make over $20,000 less than an average Texas teacher. Here are the average salaries of other teaching roles in Texas.
Paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals are teacher assistants, or teacher aides trained and credentialed to support different learner activities under the supervision of a licensed teacher. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) establishes that all paraprofessionals should be holders of a high school diploma or its equivalent to perform instructional duties.
Their duties may include:
- Assisting with classroom management
- Providing instructional assistance in computer laboratories
- Assisting with test marking, grading, and recording
- Assisting with parental involvement sessions
The average annual salary for paraprofessionals in Texas is $32,839. At the entry-level, paraprofessionals start at $24,063 annually, while the most experienced ones make up to $48,750 annually.
Preschool Teachers
Preschool teachers care and educate learners of less than 5 years who have not yet joined kindergarten. Their minimum entry-level requirement is an associate degree in education. Preschool teachers work the traditional 10-month school year, with some working year-round.
The starting salary for preschool teachers in Texas is $24,375 annually, with the range falling between $33,860 and $42,870 for the more experienced ones.
- Ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for learners
- Educating children about fundamental concepts such as colors, numbers, shapes, and letters
- Encouraging social interactions between children and building their confidence
- Engaging learners in creative learning activities such as arts, storytelling, and supervised play
- Ensuring order and discipline in the classroom
Special Education Teachers
At the preschool level, early childhood teachers are responsible for assisting infants and toddlers under five to grow their learning skills as they prepare them for school. They create Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) based on individual learner needs at the elementary and secondary school levels.
Special education teachers in Texas usually enjoy more benefits than teachers qualified and certified in only one subject area. They may also be given a stipend by their institutions as a retention incentive.
Special education teachers’ jobs also involve collaborating with parents, therapists, medical professionals, and social workers to create the best learning environment for each child.
The average annual wage for a special education teacher in Texas was $60,177, falling between $47,438 and $78,809 in 2023. Some districts also pay special education teachers a stipend of between $1,000 and $3000 annually.
How to Make More Money As a Teacher in Texas?
Most teachers in the U.S. earn less than $20 per hour. It’s not uncommon for teachers to seek more side projects to supplement their income. Teacher side hustles may range from picking up work outside the classroom to returning to school for supplemental advanced degrees.
Here is how you can supplement your teacher salary in Texas and make more money:
- Tutoring – Tutoring is a great way of making an extra income working with learners in groups, individuals or online. The flexibility in tutoring is that you can work with parents to establish times to attend to their children.
Your rates will also vary depending on your content area, the grade level, and the age of the learners. If you travel over the holiday break, you could also consider online tutoring.
- Find more opportunities at your school – You can do this at your institution by signing up for more extra work. For instance, you can coach a sports team, volunteer as a drama instructor, coach the debate team, or chaperone school events that bring in more cash.
This is a more streamlined and simple direction since you remain on the school premises and work towards enriching the academic and social lives of the learners you have already connected with.
- Proctor standardized tests – Proctors are professionals who supervise the test administration process. Most proctor positions require a minimum of a high school diploma; hence as a trained teacher, you qualify to apply for such positions.
- Pursue an advanced degree – Many school districts offer higher salaries for teachers with advanced degrees such as Masters or Doctorate degrees. Such degrees can also see you move up to better-paying administrative or leadership positions within your school or the district.
- Sign up to teach summer school – If your school offers summer courses, you could consider taking summer classes. You can also seek such teaching opportunities elsewhere, provided you are qualified to teach.
For instance, you can sign up to offer English as a second language or General Education Development courses (GED) at a community center.
How to Become a Teacher in Texas?
Teaching is a rewarding career with financial stability and job security. It also offers you opportunities for growth and advancement. To become a teacher, you must first attain a bachelor’s degree or a Career Technical Education (CTE) certificate before teaching in the classroom.
You must then complete the application and start the testing and training. Lastly, you must complete a one-year internship program to qualify for licensure.
Suppose you hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and would love to inspire and educate future generations. In that case, the number one alternative certification program will guarantee a seamless transition to education.
Certification in the following high-demand areas in Texas will ensure you get hired soon after certification and at better rates.
- English as a second language
- Career and technical education
- Computer science
- Special education
Enroll now to become a teacher before all the open teacher positions fill up. Apply now to become a teacher in Texas. Our programs are affordable, flexible, and 100% online!
