Make More Money as a Teacher in Texas

Maximize or Increase Your Teaching Pay in Texas

You have probably heard that teaching is not a lucrative career.  While it’s true you won’t get rich quick,  you can make a comfortable living and enjoy a schedule that is more family friendly than most other careers offer.

Although the average starting salary for new teachers in Texas is $43,000, there are many ways to earn more money.

•  Earning a graduate degree will earn you an annual stipend, usually at least $500 or $1,000 per year.
• Coaching sports/athletics or teaching band will usually entitle you to a stipend, since you will be working additional hours and have after school commitments.
•  Some districts will pay you to be a department chair or a mentor teacher.  Usually you will be eligible for this after you have taught for at least three years, but at times newer teachers become department chairs.
•           Some districts, including Austin ISD, offer a stipend  if you are National Board Certified.  In fact, Austin ISD will even pay for selected candidates to become board certified.
•  As you gain experience, your pay will increase.
•   “Shop” around.  Some districts pay significantly more than others.  Apply at the higher paying districts to see if you can secure a job there. 
•   Teachers in critical needs subjects often earn stipends, sometimes up to $3,000 per year.  The subjects that usually have stipends are Special Education, Bilingual Education, Secondary Math and Science, and sometimes ESL.   Teachers of those subjects/certification areas usually have more job security in economic downturns.