Starting Salaries, Steps and Differentials
The New York City Department of Education offers extremely competitive salaries to newly hired teachers. Since 2002, starting salaries for NYC public school teachers have increased 43%.
Salaries are based on prior teaching experience as well as your undergraduate and graduate education. As of May 2008, starting teacher salaries range from $45,530 (bachelor’s degree, no prior teaching experience) to $74,796 (master’s degree, 8 years teaching experience). Teachers who already have a master’s degree but no teaching experience will start at $51,425. All teacher salaries are listed on the official salary schedule.
Currently, teachers with the maximum combination of experience and coursework on the salary schedule can earn up to $100,049 per year.
NYC teachers earn more based on experience, which translate to salary steps, and coursework above a bachelor’s degree, which equate to salary differentials. Your salary step placement will be based on verification of the experience information you include on your employment application. Salary differentials require a separate application that you complete after you begin teaching. As long as you apply within six months of your start date, any creditable differentials are retroactive to your start date.
Learn more about salary steps and differentials by viewing our multimedia Salary Presentation. You can also visit the Division of Human Resources teacher salary page for more information.
Receiving your Paycheck
Teacher salaries are annualized (paid out over twelve months) and teachers are paid on or about the 1st and the 16th day of each month. Over the past several years, 99 percent of new teachers received their first paycheck on or about September 15. Most teachers enroll in direct deposit, which is the most timely and efficient way of receiving your pay. More information on applying for direct deposit is provided on the After You're Hired page.
Additional Income
Along with competitive salaries, the New York City Department of Education offers ways to earn additional income through incentives, bonuses, and school positions outside of the regular contract day. Teachers can earn additional income from after-school, weekend, or summer school employment. This work is paid at a contractual rate which is currently $41.98 per hour.
Medical Benefits
As a city employee, you can select from a variety of health insurance plans; several plans require no employee contributions, and coverage for you and your family (including registered domestic partners) begins on the first day of employment. You can conduct research to learn more about available plans and the associated rates. You and your family will also receive dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits through the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Welfare Fund.
Retirement Benefits
Teachers become members of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), which provides an allowance in retirement funds based on your years of service and participation to qualified retirees. Membership is mandatory and contributions of 4.85% of your gross salary begin automatically with your first paycheck. You can also contribute to the Tax-Deferred Annuity Program (TDA), a voluntary savings plan, in order to augment your retirement savings.
Union Representation
Teachers are represented by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), which represents all non-supervisory educators and retirees from the NYC public schools. The UFT negotiates on behalf of teachers for fair and competitive salaries, enhanced professionalism, and improved working conditions.
Life Insurance and Disability Insurance
Teachers are entitled to both life and disability insurance through the Teachers' Retirement System. The UFT Welfare Fund also offers additional life and disability benefits.
Employee Discounts
As a New York City public school teacher, you are eligible to receive discounts on a variety of goods and services including copying, cell phone service, gym memberships, newspaper subscriptions, cultural events, retail stores like J. Crew, and computer equipment/software from Dell, Apple, and Microsoft.