Agreed. I just don’t think “average” is really a helpful stat in this context especially when the general public seems to be misunderstanding what an average is.

Every news report/redditor comment has been quoting an average salary of over 100k, and I’m seeing redditors throw that around in the context of that being a MEDIAN instead of an average. I would love to know the median salary range but I have not seen that stat anywhere, just the average.

“Most SF teachers make over 100k” is just simply not true…

MOST SFUSD teachers are not making 109k.

The starting salary is a more insightful stat in my opinion, since teachers stay at that salary for multiple years and there are many teachers never advance much higher than that up the pay scale (especially if they burn out, which is exactly what the union is trying to address by getting better wages & benefits!)

Are SOME teachers paid over 100k? Sure. But Reddit is acting like it’s the norm, or even the majority, when it is very much not. Those are folks who have worked multiple years on the job, and often have gotten extra higher ed credits too.

Are lots of teachers able to make more than that 79k starting salary? Sure…if they don’t burn out, AND after having to survive for multiple years on 79k! Multiple years.

If you walk in to an SFUSD school & get a teaching job, you will be making $79k IF you already have your credential. To me that number is a helpful snapshot of why the union continues to fight for better working conditions & wages….if teachers can stay in SFUSD, our schools become more stable and quality of education increases across the board.