Teacher salaries in Maryland have increased in nearly all Maryland counties for the school year 2023-2024 entry-level teachers. Without this recent increase, it was feared that schools would be faced with many vacant teacher positions. Adequate teacher salary funding is bound to be a long-term problem if we want good, qualified teachers to educate and prepare our future workforce.
The chart above shows that most county schools boosted 2023-2024 entry-level teacher salaries substantially. There are fewer open positions than last year. Will the salary increases be enough? Only time will tell.
According to the Maryland State Education Association President Cheryl Boost, nearly half of Maryland educators work another job, or two, to make ends meet. A recent poll revealed that:
- Over the last year, 44% of educators held at least one additional job, a three percentage point increase since 2018
- The percentage of educators taking on personal debt has increased to 52%, up from 46% in 2019 and 34% in 2018
- 90% of educators pay out of pocket for classroom supplies, consistent with survey results in 2019 and 2018
“We need to build a more supportive pipeline for aspiring educators and do more to retain the high-quality educators we have through continued investments in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, strong local contracts, and ensuring that educator voices are at the table,” said MSEA President Cheryl Bost.
2022-2023 Salary Comparisons
According to the Maryland State Board of Education, after the 2021-2022 school year, 5,516 teachers, close to 10% left the profession. Reasons vary from retirement to burnout to better opportunities, but there is no doubt there is a shortage of teachers and no end in sight. Anne Arundel County and TAAAC (the Teachers’ Union) reached a bargaining agreement in early September for a 4% cost of living increase. Even with that increase, salaries for teachers are lower than other professions with the same educational requirements. A sample of entry level salaries are shown below as reported by each county.
Entry Level Salaries* | Salary 2022 |
Teacher – AA Co | $48,314 |
Teacher – Baltimore Co | $52,927 |
Teacher – Calvert Co. | $50,500 |
Teacher – Harford Co | $50,649 |
Teacher – Howard Co | $56,228 |
Teacher – Montgomery Co. | $52,286 |
Teacher – PG Co | $49,963 |
Teacher – Queen Anne’s Co | $47,932 |
AA Co Police Officer | $58,646 |
Entry level accountant | $60,000 |
Entry level Nurse (RN) | $67,601 |
*As reported on each county website
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Salary Comparisons
In 2018 a survey done by Chesapeake Family Life showed that entry level teachers in Anne Arundel County were making $45,147. Four years later and beginning salaries have only increased by 7% (before the latest increase). Entry level salaries for police officers, accountants and nurses (RN) annually make at least $10,000 more than teachers. Nurses make $20,000 more per year with very similar education requirements. Would higher salaries attract more teachers?
Where does the money come from?
No one likes to pay more in taxes but the reality is that it’s our tax dollars paying teacher salaries. We, taxpayers, have to decide how much we want to pay our teachers. The entire detailed process can be seen in this article School Funding 101.
The path to approving a school budget is:
School Superintendent =>
Board of Education =>
County Executive =>
County Council =>
Board of Education
If you have an interest in your local education system, it’s this process that counts. When you vote for people holding these positions, make sure you know how each candidate feels about spending on education.
Make sure you vote in November. You can find general voting information here.