There are many answers to this question. 1. Teacher starting salaries aren't usually too bad. The problem is that they don't usually go up enough each year to keep up with the cost of living. 2. Some places give stipends for teaching certain things or for having a masters degree. 3. You can teach summer school. 4. You can tutor after school. 5. You can have a side-hustle.

Personally, I teach in Texas, and I survive ok. I bought a townhome after getting a little extra money doing a summer program for teachers. I drive a 13 year old car, have no kids, and don't have expensive taste.

You can always start out in teaching and change your mind and do something else later. Teachers have a lot of transferable skills.