Differences Between Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for Teachers Salaries
© 2012 by Aurelio Locsin.
The minimum educational requirement for teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade is a bachelor’s degree, which takes a minimum of four years. However, some states require teachers to earn a master’s degree, which takes an additional two years, after receiving their teaching certification. In addition, the higher credential is acceptable for some postsecondary positions at community colleges, though a Ph.D. is required at colleges and universities. In any case, teachers with master’s degrees make more than those with bachelor’s diplomas.
Basics
About 44 percent of the over 3.5 million bachelor’s degree holders in education went on to receive a master’s degree for an earnings boost of 33 percent, according to the 2011 salary survey compiled by Georgetown University.
- Median annual pay for bachelor’s degrees was $42,000, with the lowest-earning quarter making less than $32,000 and the highest earning quarter earning $55,000.
- Calculating the increase from these amounts put the annual median of master’s degrees at $60.480, with the lowest quartile making under $46,080 and the highest quartile making over $79,200.
Degrees
The specific master’s degree in education with the highest annual pay was science and computers, which showed a 49 percent earnings boost from the undergraduate degree.
- Bachelor’s degrees holders in the subject made a median annual $43,000, with a quartile range of less than $34,000 to over $58,000.
- Master’s degree holders received a median yearly $64,070, with a quartile range of under $50,660 to over $86,420.
The lowest paid subject was early childhood education, which showed a 41 percent earnings boost for the higher degree.
- Bachelor’s degree holders made a median annual $36,000, with a quartile range of less than $29,000 to over $45,000.
- Master’s degrees granted a median $50,760 yearly, with a quartile range of less than $40,890 to over $63,450.
Gender
Though nearly 77 percent of graduates in education were female, males still showed the higher salaries.
- For bachelor’s degrees, females earned a median annual $40,000, while males received $48,000. Taking into account the earnings boost puts the master’s degree salaries at $53,200 for females and $63,840 for males.
- In science and computer education, 58 percent of the graduates were female and they earned a median $39,000 per year for a bachelor’s degree and $58,110 for a master’s. Males received the higher median of $50,000 for the lower degree and $74,500 for the higher one.
Outlook
From 2010 to 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics sees jobs for all teachers, including those with master’s degrees, growing at faster than the 14 percent average for all occupations.
- Kindergarten and elementary school teachers are expected to see growth at 17 percent, and postsecondary teachers will enjoy 17 percent growth.
- Only high school teachers will show lower than average increases of 7 percent.
Population growth and declining student-to-teacher ratios will be largely responsible for demand. Enrollment increases, however, will be slower in high school than in other grades.
Resources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. - Georgetown University
Home page for Georgetown University. - Finance Compensation
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