One of the reasons you should consider an advanced degree in the field of education is the higher salary you can expect upon graduation. While your salary depends on a number of factors, including location, position, employer, and experience, reports show that teachers with a masters in education earn between 5 percent and 10 percent more, on average, than their counterparts who have only bachelor’s degrees in the field. In addition, earning a masters degree can open high-paying positions to you that weren’t even possible with just a bachelor’s degree.
Base Salary for Educators
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public school teachers made an average of $53,910 as of 2009, with elementary teachers making slightly more money than secondary teachers. Keep in mind that this takes all teachers into account, even those with only bachelor’s degrees, so you can expect to be on the high side of that average with your master’s degree. At the same time, this figure also takes teachers at all experience levels into account, so if you’re just starting, you can expect a starting salary nearer to the $30,000 to $40,000 range, even with a master’s degree.
Other Factors Affecting Salary
If you use your masters in education to continue teaching, there are a number of other factors that can affect your salary as well. For example, teachers in private schools typically make more money than teachers in public schools – and these more lucrative positions are often only open to teachers who have earned at least a master’s degree. Location also plays a big role. You’ll typically earn more money in high-need areas, though it depends on the state and city in question.
Salaries for Non-Teaching Education Roles
With a masters in education, continuing to teach isn’t your only choice. You can also work as a school administrator, as a staff member in an institute of higher education, in school psychology or counseling, or even in a government position, helping to dictate education policy. In these roles, you’ll typically make more money than you would as an teacher, though they are more competitive positions that often require years of education experience or special certifications.