The Study
This policy report by Debbi Harris and Marisa Burian-Fitzgerald, research associates at the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University looks at Michigan teacher salaries. The authors examine some of the factors affecting teacher salaries within the state and compare the actual hourly earnings of teachers with some other professions.

Findings
The report used data from several sources. Teacher salary and workday length information was based on the National Center for Education Statistics Schools and Staffing Survey for the 1999-2000 school year. Other resources used included the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Compensation Survey for 2002. Harris and Burian-Fitzgerald found that the average salary for Michigan’s teachers is $48,214, but there are large differences in salaries among the districts. The average starting base salary for Michigan’s teachers is just over $30,300. Teachers in rural or small town communities consistently earn lower salaries than those in urban or suburban areas. The authors then converted teacher salaries into hourly terms to account for the 10-month work schedule and the amount of time they spend actually working each week. They found that the average Michigan teacher earns $24 per hour, but this varies considerably. First-year teachers, for example, earn $16.67 per hour. Teachers with 20 or more years of experience earn more than $36 per hour. Finally, the researchers compare Michigan teacher salaries to other professions. Compared to the national average for a variety of occupations, Michigan’s teachers are in a better financial position than registered nurses and accountants, but lag behind speech therapists and engineers. The authors conclude that it “appears that Michigan’s teachers are being compensated at an hourly rate that is comparable to similar professions.” The only exception are mathematics and science teachers, who are likely to most easily find employment in competing, higher paying fields.

For More Information
The complete report is available for download at the Education Policy Center’s Web site (www.epc.msu.edu ).

< back to 2005 ed-research reports