What Is the Average Teacher Salary in Massachusetts? (2023)

The average teacher salary in Massachusetts is slightly above the national average salary of teachers in the United States. The teacher salary in Massachusetts will also vary according to educational qualifications, school district, the grade taught, and years of experience.

If you’re wondering, what is the average teacher salary in Massachusetts,’ continue reading. This article will cover the average salary and general requirements to become a teacher in Massachusetts. This includes all levels of teachers, from kindergarten to high school teachers, as well as technical education and substitute teachers.

What Is the Average Teacher Salary in Massachusetts? (1)

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What Is the Average Teacher Salary in Massachusetts?

The average teacher salary in Massachusetts is $47,396. This figure applies to entry-level jobs. Teachers with a master’s degree and prior experience can earn about $82,836, according to the National Education Association (NEA).

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) estimates the average base salary of a teacher in Massachusetts working at public elementary and secondary schools to be $86,315, with a 2.6 percent increase since 2009.

What Is the Average Salary of a Teacher in the United States?

The average salary of a teacher in the United States is $65,090, according to the NCES. This statistic includes full-time teachers only. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall median pay for high school teachers is $61,820 while the median pay for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is $61,350, except for those dealing with special education.

Average Teacher Salary in Massachusetts: K—12

Level Number Employed in Massachusetts Average Salary in Massachusetts Average Salary in the United States
Kindergarten Teachers 2,650 $85,470 $60,900
Elementary School Teachers 30,640 $83,790 $61,400
Middle School Teachers 13,730 $85,740 $61,320
High School Teachers 24,900 $85,360 $61,820

Basic Requirements to Become a Teacher in Massachusetts: K—12

  • Bachelor’s Degree. The minimum requirement for all prospective teachers for K-12 grade levels is a bachelor’s degree. A four-year degree in education is usually required, and prospective teachers may wish to specialize in one particular field.
  • Educator Preparation Programs. To become a K–12 teacher in Massachusetts, you have to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to become a part of the childhood education system in the state of Massachusetts.
  • Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Exams. To apply for a preliminary teaching license, you have to pass the content area MTEL exams for the grade levels you want to teach. Your initial license will be valid for ten years after which your career can advance towards a professional license.
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How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher in Massachusetts

To become a Kindergarten teacher in Massachusetts, a bachelor’s degree in teaching early childhood education through a state-approved educator program is required. Apart from a bachelor’s degree, you need to go through a state-approved educator program in childhood education.

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in Massachusetts

To become an elementary school teacher in Massachusetts, you need to have a bachelor’s degree and finish a state-approved teacher preparation program. You also have to clear the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) exams for general curriculum, mathematics, and foundations of reading.

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How to Become a Middle School Teacher in Massachusetts

To become a middle school teacher in Massachusetts, you need to have a bachelor’s degree or an alternative state-approved certification in childhood education focused on the grade levels you want to teach. You also need to clear the relevant content area MTEL exams for those grade levels. After meeting these requirements, you can apply for an initial license which is valid for ten years.

How to Become a High School Teacher in Massachusetts

To become a high school teacher, you need a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach. You also need to go through a state-approved teacher preparation program and clear the general teaching certification test and your subject-specific MTEL exams. Finally, you must pass a background check.

Average Teacher Salary in Massachusetts: Other Types of Teachers

Type Number Employed in Massachusetts Average Salary in Massachusetts Average Salary in the United States
Preschool Teachers 12,580 $43,710 $30,210
Career and Technical Education Teachers 2,960 $90,060 $61,160
Adult Basic Education Teachers 1,550 $57,110 $59,720
Substitute Teachers 6,420 $39,830 $30,100

Requirements to Become a Teacher in Massachusetts: Preschool

  • Complete a Bachelor’s Degree. Some states do not require preschool teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree, but if you want to become a preschool teacher in Massachusetts, you need to finish a bachelor’s degree program.
  • Childhood Education Preparation Program. After you have completed your bachelor’s degree, you will need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program in child education. This leads to certification which you can use to apply for an early educator teaching license.
  • Early Educator Teaching License. Finally, you must apply for an initial license as an early educator or a preliminary one. This early educator teaching license leads to a professional license pathway.

Requirements to Become a Teacher in Massachusetts: Career and Technical Education

  • Associate Degree in a Technical Subject Area. To become a career and technical education teacher in Massachusetts, you must have an associate degree in the technical area you will be teaching.
  • Work Experience in the Technical Field. If you do not possess any previous educational experience, the required work experience in your professional field will be more than enough if you already possess an initial license.
  • Passing Subject Matter Tests. To earn the right to teach critical skills and provide career advice to school-aged children, you must pass a written and performance vocational test in your subject matter with a score higher than 70.
  • Passing the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Finally, you need to clear The Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test and The Communication and Literacy Skills Test by MTEL to be eligible for a preliminary license in a career and technical education.
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Requirements to Become a Teacher in Massachusetts: Adult Basic Education

  • A High School Degree or GED. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in education to be an adult basic education teacher in Massachusetts, but the minimum educational requirement is a high school degree and education credits in teaching.
  • Clear the Relevant Tests. You need to clear the Communication and Literacy Skills Test and the Adult Basic Education (ABE) subject matter test from MTEL.
  • Provisional License. Once you are done with your educational requirements and have cleared your skills and Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure exam in ABE, you can apply for a provisional license to teach ABE to adult students.

Requirements to Become a Substitute Teacher in Massachusetts

  • High School Diploma or GED. Substitute teachers in Massachusetts do not need to have a bachelor’s degree or even a teaching license if they are planning to teach short-term. However, a high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Taking a Department-approved Course of Study. You must take a department-approved course of study recommended by the school where you want to work as a substitute teacher. Each school may have its own substitute teacher training program.
  • Passing a Department-approved Test. After completing the department-approved orientation course, you must pass a test that assesses your subject matter knowledge and teaching skills. If you meet these three criteria, you can work as a substitute teacher in Massachusetts.

Average Teacher Salary in Massachusetts: Special Education

Special Education Level Number Employed in Massachusetts Average Salary in Massachusetts Average Salary in the United States
Preschool 700 $81,800 $62,420
Kindergarten and Elementary 5,410 $77,540 $61,640
Middle School 2,290 $77,540 $61,820
High School 3,580 $77,910 $62,120
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Requirements to Become a Teacher in Massachusetts: Special Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree To become a special education teacher in Massachusetts, you need to have a bachelor’s degree with a major in special education. Alternatively, you can get a certification after your bachelor’s degree in special education.
  • State-approved Teacher Preparation Program. You also need to go through a specialized state-approved teacher training program and learn the critical skills required to become a special education advocate.
  • Pass State-required Tests. You need to pass the relevant MTEL exams to receive your initial license in special education. The teacher ratio for special education teachers teaching preschool is really low. Due to this teacher shortage, this position pays extremely well.

Is a Teacher’s Salary in Massachusetts Worth My Time and Money?

Yes, a teacher’s salary in Massachusetts is worth your time and money. According to the salary data collected from the BLS, the annual salary of a teacher in Massachusetts is better than most other states in the country.

Aside from the salary satisfaction, relocation assistance, career options, and opportunities for advancement, simply finding an impressive student with promise is reason enough to teach in Massachusetts.

Teacher Salary in Massachusetts FAQ

How much money do teachers make in Massachusetts?

Teacher salary in Massachusetts varies by grade, location, and school district. The occupational employment and wages vary by grade range but the salary for a private school teacher can make $114,766 while a public school teacher of the same grade range can make $66,269.

What does a first-year teacher make in Massachusetts?

According to ZipRecruiter, a first-year teacher in Massachusetts makes around $72,360 per year in 2022. This is the equivalent to around $35 per hour, $1,399 per week, or $6,060 per month.

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Are teachers paid well in Massachusetts?

Teachers in elementary and secondary education are paid well. The teacher salary in Massachusetts varies by region, location, and whether you teach in a public or private school. A teacher with an initial teaching license pays less than a professional license. Teachers also benefit from life insurance, disability insurance, health insurance, and a flexible schedule.

What is the highest-paid teacher state?

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New York is the highest-paid teacher state with a yearly average salary of $77,867 while Maine has the lowest at $47,353. New York teachers earn 1.6 times more than Maine teachers. Special education teachers in New York can earn up to $86,876 in the 75th percentile.

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FAQs

What is a starting teachers salary in Massachusetts? ›

The average Entry Level Teacher salary in Massachusetts is $46,128 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $38,522 and $56,253.

How much do teachers get paid in Massachusetts? ›

How much does a Public School Teacher make in Massachusetts? The average Public School Teacher salary in Massachusetts is $61,122 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $51,045 and $74,538.

Does Massachusetts pay teachers well? ›

In 2021, the average K-12 public school teacher nationwide was paid $65,090. Average teacher pay was the highest in New York at $87,738, followed by Massachusetts and California.

How much money do elementary teachers make in Massachusetts? ›

How much does a Teacher Elementary School make in Massachusetts? The average Teacher Elementary School salary in Massachusetts is $68,149 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $55,921 and $82,313.

What is the highest paying school district in Massachusetts? ›

Top companies for Teachers in Massachusetts
  • Newton Public Schools. 4.1 $52.13per hour. 52 reviews10 salaries reported.
  • Boston Public Schools. 3.7 $50.40per hour. ...
  • PROSPECT HILL ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL. 3.0 $50.00per hour. ...
  • Haverhill Public Schools. 3.0 $43.52per hour. ...
  • Brookline Public Schools. 3.9 $43.30per hour. ...
  • Show more companies.
Feb 28, 2023

What is the highest paying teacher State? ›

Highest-Paid Teachers By State
RankStateAverage Teacher Salary
1Maryland$61,254
2Hawaii$59,222
3New York$57,919
4California$57,193
46 more rows
Dec 4, 2022

Are teachers underpaid in Massachusetts? ›

While not in first place in Business. org's state-by-state comparison of teacher earnings, the average teacher salary from 2020-2021 in Massachusetts was the second highest nationwide at $86,315 — just behind New York state at $87,738 for the same average.

How much do teachers make with a masters in Massachusetts? ›

Annual Base Salary of Elementary and Secondary Teachers by Education and Experience, 2017-18
0-2 Years11-20 Years
National Average of Teachers with a Bachelor's$42,440$54,380
MA Teachers with a Master's$58,980$79,560
National Average of Teachers with a Master's$51,050$65,700
1 more row
Oct 13, 2020

Is Massachusetts a good state to be a teacher? ›

Massachusetts is one of the best states in the country for teachers, a WalletHub study found.

What state has the highest teacher shortage? ›

For the 2022-2023 school year, Michigan had the most teacher shortages in math, science, world languages, health and physical fitness, art and music, language arts, English as a second language, special education, social studies and career and technical education, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

How much can a retired Massachusetts teacher make? ›

How much does a Retired Teacher make in Massachusetts? As of Mar 3, 2023, the average annual pay for the Retired Teacher jobs category in Massachusetts is $45,382 a year.

What city pays elementary teachers the most? ›

Where Do Teachers Get Paid the Most? 20 Cities with the Highest Teacher Salaries for the Cost of Living
  • #8: Indianapolis, Indiana. ...
  • #7: Baltimore, Maryland. ...
  • #6: Salt Lake City, Utah. ...
  • #5: Portland, Oregon. ...
  • #4: Sacramento, California. ...
  • #3: Columbus, Ohio. ...
  • #2: Albany, New York. ...
  • #1: Buffalo, New York. Average annual salary is $70,216.

Do teachers get paid in the summer in Massachusetts? ›

No, technically, teachers do not get paid in the summer if they are not actively teaching. However, most teachers have the option to spread their pay for ten months of work over an entire 12 month period.

Why are teachers underpaid? ›

Teachers get paid so little because education is underfunded in the United States. This equation has other factors, but this is the prime reason. The professional group of teachers has not experienced a salary increase in quite a long time.

What city in Massachusetts has the best schools? ›

Lexington. #1 Places with the Best Public Schools in Massachusetts.

What is the #1 school in Massachusetts? ›

The top ranked public schools in Massachusetts are Dover-sherborn Regional High School, Lexington High School and Wellesley Senior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.

What state is in most need of teachers? ›

Mississippi saw the highest teacher-to-student vacancy rate in the 2021-22 school year. The state reported having nearly 69 missing teachers per 10,000 students. In comparison, Utah had less than one missing teacher per 10,000 students.

What is the best state to live in as a teacher? ›

Overall ranking of best and worst states for teachers in 2022
RankStateOverall cost of living rank
1New York49
2Massachusetts47
3Connecticut43
4New Jersey40
46 more rows
May 31, 2022

Where are teachers best paid? ›

Teachers in Luxembourg earn 30% more than any other teacher in the world, with a starting salary that exceeds nearly every other nation's maximum teacher salary. By sharp contrast at the bottom of this chart, teachers in Estonia reach their maximum earning potential at just over $17,000 a year.

How to make 6 figures as a teacher? ›

How to make more money as a teacher
  1. Find opportunities to earn supplemental money at your school. ...
  2. Do research on your location's pay rates. ...
  3. Earn an advanced degree. ...
  4. Take advantage of professional development opportunities. ...
  5. Transition to an administrative career. ...
  6. Offer tutoring options.
Jan 19, 2023

Are teachers paid well in Boston? ›

Average Boston Public Schools Teacher yearly pay in Boston is approximately $80,350, which is 76% above the national average.

Why is Massachusetts education so good? ›

“Some researchers have found that more resources — or taxes paid by residents — typically result in better school-system performance,” said WalletHub. The study ranked the commonwealth first in Math and Reading test scores, Massachusetts students were also reported to be the least threatened or prone to injury.

Who is the highest paid state employee in Massachusetts? ›

Collins

How much does a principal in MA make? ›

The average salary for a principal in California is around $126,980 per year.
...
Principal salary by state.
State NameAverage Salary
Oregon$119,610
Massachusetts$119,250
Alaska$101,880
Minnesota$101,520
50 more rows

Where is the best place to live as a teacher? ›

New York is the best place in America to be a teacher, according to a new report published Monday. The report from the personal finance website WalletHub compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along 24 metrics around opportunity, competition and academic and work environment.

Can I teach in Massachusetts without a Masters? ›

A master's degree is not required to begin a career as a high school teacher in Massachusetts. Teachers must earn a bachelor's degree and pass the MTEL in their subject area.

How many days a year do teachers work? ›

Directed time is when teachers are directed by their head teacher to be at work and available for work. This is a maximum of 1,265 hours per academic year, spread over 195 days.

What do most teachers get their masters in? ›

Types of Master's Degrees for Teachers
  1. Master of Education. At the master level, there are many types of specializations that are highly demanded by both public and private schools. ...
  2. Master's in Teaching. ...
  3. Master's in English Education. ...
  4. Master's in Mathematics Education. ...
  5. Master's in Special Education.

What state has the best teacher retirement? ›

States Ranked by Best Retirement Plan Available to New Public School Teachers
RankStateOverall Retirement Benefits Score
1South Carolina94.20%
2Tennessee88.20%
3South Dakota78.70%
4Oregon78.60%
47 more rows
Jun 29, 2022

Where is Massachusetts ranked in education? ›

Massachusetts has the fifth-best education system in the country for 2023, according to a report from Scholaroo. Four New England states made the top five list. Scholaroo is a scholarship-finding service that also releases data reports related to education.

Is Massachusetts the most educated state? ›

Massachusetts is the most educated state in the country, according to a new study by WalletHub. WalletHub compared all 50 states across 18 metrics that examined key factors of a well-educated population. The factors included educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps between genders and races.

What type of teachers are in demand? ›

Science, math, bilingual and special education teachers were in particularly high demand and the study projected that statewide, districts would need to hire about 300,000 teachers a year starting in 2018.

What states are easiest to get a teaching job? ›

For a teacher willing to relocate, there are schools that are hiring now. In most states, there is a severe need for bilingual, ESL, special education, math and science credentials.
...
The 10 Best States To Find A Teaching Job
  1. North Dakota. ...
  2. Alaska. ...
  3. Illinois. ...
  4. Florida. ...
  5. Arizona. ...
  6. Connecticut. ...
  7. Alabama. ...
  8. Arkansas.

What subject are teacher shortages? ›

Among three key shortage subjects we explored, many schools reported non-specialists teaching maths (45 per cent reporting at least “some” lessons), physics (39 per cent) and modern foreign languages (MFL) (17 per cent).

Do teachers in MA get Social Security? ›

Massachusetts is a “non-Social Security” state. That means that your Massachusetts public employment is not covered by Social Security. Neither you nor your employer pays into Social Security.

How many years do you need to get a full pension for teachers? ›

The maximum payment over which monthly deductions from salary can be made is 20 years and must be completed before your Normal Pension Age (NPA).

What is the average mass State Pension? ›

MassOpenBooks users can sort general characteristics such as by year, employer, and/or individual. In 2018, the average MSERS retiree received $37,310 in pension benefits, but a large number of retirees were paid much more.

What city is best to work as a teacher? ›

Best (and Worst) Places to Be a Teacher
RankMetro AreaTeachers as a Percent of Workforce
1Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA2.39%
2Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY1.96%
3Syracuse, NY2.09%
4Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT1.80%
7 more rows
Aug 9, 2022

Is it worth it to be a teacher? ›

Teaching can be an advantageous and influential career choice for those passionate about education and willing to work hard. While the profession does present some challenges, it also offers many potential benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

How much time do teachers get off? ›

How many days a year do teachers get off? On average, teachers get 10 sick days and three personal days a year, according to the NCTQ. These days typically roll over from year to year, so veteran teachers often accumulate large amounts of leave.

Are teachers paid 52 weeks a year? ›

Well, the short answer is Yes. But that's not an entirely popular answer. There's a (perfectly understandable) misconception that teachers are only paid for their teaching weeks, and that this pay is then spread over 12 months for convenience.

Why so many teachers are quitting? ›

Many of the predominant challenges teachers face, including safety concerns, low salaries, funding deficits and declining mental health, are not new issues — but the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has intensified existing problems within the profession.

Are teachers really overworked? ›

K-12 teachers report the highest burnout rate of all U.S. professions, with more than four out of every 10 teachers noting that they feel burned out “always” or “very often” at work, according to a June 2022 Gallup poll.

Are teachers happy with their salary? ›

Overall, 45 percent of teachers agreed that they were satisfied with their salary, and 55 percent disagreed (FIGURE 1). In both traditional public and charter schools, 45 percent of teachers agreed they were satisfied with their salary.

How can a first year teacher make money? ›

There are also many other opportunities to increase your teacher salary:
  1. coaching after-school athletics.
  2. advising after-school clubs.
  3. becoming a department head.
  4. becoming a mentor for new teachers.
  5. helping with after-school tutoring programs.
  6. administering and grading placement exams.
  7. teaching summer school programs.

Do you need a masters degree to be a teacher in Massachusetts? ›

A master's degree is not required to begin a career as a high school teacher in Massachusetts. Teachers must earn a bachelor's degree and pass the MTEL in their subject area.

Can you make a living as a teacher? ›

Yes, educators absolutely do and can live well on a teacher's salary. It's all about what you value. If after reading this post you feel that teaching is not the best career choice for you, that's fine. It's good to know what you want vs.

What state pays teachers the most per hour? ›

The national average salary for teachers is $47,989. The national hourly pay for teachers is $23.07.
...
Highest-Paid Teachers By State.
Rank1
StateMaryland
Average Teacher Salary$61,254
10th Percentile$40,000
90th Percentile$93,000
49 more columns
Aug 2, 2022

Is it worth it to get a Masters as a teacher? ›

Career Benefits for Obtaining a Master's of Education

One that we've already touched on is pay. Statistics reveal that teaching professionals with master's degrees currently earn higher salaries in every state compared to bachelor's degree-holders, and the pay gap widens with years of commensurate experience.

Can I teach in MA without a license? ›

Can I teach in Massachusetts without certification? To teach in a classroom in the public school system in Massachusetts, teachers must hold a valid and current license from the state. However, teachers may teach in a private school without certification as the state has no jurisdiction over private school approvals.

What states accept Massachusetts teaching license? ›

Massachusetts Teacher Reciprocity Agreements
AlabamaIndianaNew Hampshire
CaliforniaLouisianaNew York
ColoradoMaineNorth Carolina
ConnecticutMarylandNorth Dakota
DelawareMichiganOhio
7 more rows

What is required to be a teacher in Massachusetts? ›

In Massachusetts, you must have at least a bachelor's degree and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program to receive certification. Massachusetts does not list specific course or credit hour requirements; however some subject fields may have such requirements.

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