Private Vs. Public School Teacher: Salary & Working Conditions

Do private school teachers get paid more?

My previous publications have been tackling students’ lifestyles and troubles. Many of the current students will soon become teachers themselves. This article is for those aspiring to light up the sparkle of knowledge in other people, to instruct and assist in learning aspirations.

Therefore, the question is:

Do Private School Teachers Get Paid More?

The quick answer is no, and I already see your surprised faces. However, private school teachers are paid less. There are a bunch of benefits they have:

• Less strict licensing requirements;
• More freedom of timetable and working hours;
• Smaller classes;
• More comfortable working conditions (sometimes).

Let us consider the ins and outs of the profession and find out who gets paid more and why.

Private vs Public School Teacher Salary: Kindergarten and Elementary

Kindergarten and elementary schools teach basic subjects to prepare young students for future schooling.

Work Conditions

Elementary-level teachers work during school hours and check home tasks during nights and weekends. They mostly don’t work during the summer season. They work during the traditional school year (10 months) with a 2-month vacation.

Requirements

Such teachers need a bachelor’s diploma. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued license or certificate. Accordingly, the hiring requirements in private schools are less strict.

Salaries

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated the average salary in 2023.

According to the institution, elementary and secondary schools paid their teachers $64,380 (local) and 51,360 (private).

School Public vs Private School Teacher Salary: Middle School

Middle school teachers develop students’ knowledge based on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school. They prepare students for high school.

Work Conditions

Middle school teachers work with the sixth to eighth grades. Some districts may choose to start middle school in fourth grade, while others prefer to extend it to ninth grade.

Middle school teachers are often responsible for a defined list of subjects. For example, one could teach algebra and geometry to several classes. However, some schools have their middle school teachers instruct a single class in all subjects.

Requirements

Similarly to elementary schools, middle schools require their teachers to have a bachelor’s diploma. Public schools also require an additional teaching license.

Private schools don’t require their teachers to meet state requirements. However, they may require a major in a specific discipline or elementary education.

Salaries

The available statistics demonstrate:

Public schools pay their teachers about $64,890. Meanwhile, the lowest 10% earns under $47,490, and the highest 10% earns over $104,410.

Private vs Public School Teacher Salary: High School

High school teachers prepare their students for life after graduation, be it college, university, or employment.

Work Conditions

High school teachers educate students between the ninth and twelfth grades. They usually specialize in just one discipline (or a number of interrelated disciplines).

For instance:

A high school teacher could be responsible for core subjects like math and science. Others teach elective courses, like art or physical training.

Requirements

Public high school teachers in all states must have a bachelor’s degree. The latter can be in education, but it is not obligatorily required. In most states, high school teachers must have majored in a specific area, like math or science.

Salaries

The salaries of high school teachers are higher than those of any other school staff. Moreover, the difference in salaries between public и private schools is minimal:

$66,070 for public and $61,290 for private.

Public vs Private School Teacher Salary: Special Education

Special education teachers educate the same students from preschool to high school. Their students require special education because of physical, mental, learning, or emotional disabilities.

Work Conditions

Special education teachers help students develop study skills before proceeding with conventional learning. For example, they can teach how to highlight text or use flashcards to signal their needs or thoughts.

The work conditions largely depend on the specific impairments or disabilities of the students. The specifics of work with children on the autistic spectrum are very different from when they instruct children with emotional disorders like anxiety and depression.

Requirements

The requirements for special education teachers depend on the institution. For some, a bachelor’s degree suffices. Other schools require a master’s diploma. Besides, each state has specific certification requirements. That’s why it’s impossible to generalize this paragraph.

Salaries

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows:

Special education teachers earn $66,450 at public schools and $59,190 at private schools.

Public vs Private School Teacher: The Main Differences

The remuneration of school teachers is worse in private schools than in public ones.

Then:

Why do people still prefer to dedicate their careers to private schools?

There are other differences, and not all of them are in favor of public schools.

Licensing Requirements

The most significant factor that makes private schools pay their teachers more is their licensing requirement.

Public schools can only hire licensed candidates to teach in the state where the school is located. Meanwhile, private schools are more flexible with licensure, setting their own requirements.

Many of my colleagues choose to apply to private schools, as such institutions focus on qualifications, experience, and personality (rather than credentials).

Class Sizes

Overcrowded classes are commonplace in public schools due to underfunding and teacher shortages. Many schools have to admit more children than they can accommodate because there are no other public educational institutions in the locality.

Small class sizes in private schools are their “business card” to attract parents.

Disruptive students can be removed from class or even from the entire school.

Small class sizes are a considerable benefit to most teachers, as they can dedicate more time to each child, approach each student individually, and see the results of their efforts sooner.

Diversity

There are significant differences between public and private schools in many aspects, including student demographics.

Public schools admit students from all economic and ethnic backgrounds. Private schools can be more discriminatory (particularly by establishing higher tuition fees).

Therefore, public schools are for those who cherish diversity and don’t tolerate discrimination. With rare exceptions, one would expect primarily upper-class white students in private schools.

Curriculum

The more the government is involved in managing the educational institution, the less freedom teachers have in what they are expected and allowed to teach.

Public schools determine subjects in the curriculum and list the topics to be covered. They also use standardized tests for assessment.

Could you imagine that some private schools don’t have a curriculum at all?

For the most part, teachers decide what and how to teach and the pace of instruction. Private schools related to a church, mosque, synagogue, or other religious institution provide religious classes.

Resources

I reserved this point to go last, as the difference in resources is striking. Although public schools are funded by taxes, local authorities decide how much money is allocated to the budget.

Private schools are self-funded. The availability of resources depends on the attendance fee and number of students paying it.

Therefore:

If educational resources are critical for you, you’ll feel more comfortable in a private school.

Private vs Public School Teacher: Which Is Better?

The answer depends on your priorities. If salary is your most decisive factor, public school is better.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, private school teachers of the same educational level earn less by $10,000 to $15,000 per year.

But again:

• The salary partly depends on the tuition fees. Expensive educational institutions pay more.
• Public schools are also more diverse and welcoming to students from all socio-economic backgrounds. Students with disabilities are more likely to attend tax-funded institutions.
• Public schools lag behind in class sizes, resources, and freedom to choose curriculum. They cannot compete with private schools in these areas.

Thank you for reading this article!

I believe that working as a teacher is emotionally and economically rewarding. If you enjoy leading little ones into this big and exciting world, you will always find plenty of opportunities. So, both private and public schools can offer fulfilling experiences for both teachers and students.

I would like to know your thoughts about why private school teachers get paid more or less than teachers in public schools.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for more useful tips for students, be sure to check out the Ivypanda’s blog! It contains many study hacks, productivity tips, and academic writing advice.