While the dedication to students is the same wherever teachers work, the support and rewards educators receive can vary significantly from state to state. Massachusetts has long been a magnet for the best teachers, which ranks highly for teacher support, student outcomes, and quality of life. The state also ranks at or near the top among the top-paying states for teachers.
Aspiring Massachusetts teachers enrolling in an online graduate program in education position themselves to make the most of what the state offers. They also prepare themselves for the best jobs in a state where teachers are in demand, learning from a curriculum developed with input from leading school districts.
The Education Climate in Massachusetts
State leaders are committed to making Massachusetts a top state for teachers, providing an excellent work environment, salaries, and job opportunities. In one of the most significant acts by the state, then-Gov. William Weld signed the Education Reform Act into law in 1993.
The law required state funding for low-income school districts, giving students from poorer neighborhoods access to better education and relieving districts from dependence on funding from property taxes alone. Hiring and retaining the best teachers is another primary focus of state leaders.
That commitment is evident year after year as the state ranks in the upper echelons of annual surveys on education. USA Today places Massachusetts in the Top 10 best states for teachers (and the best for pay), as does WalletHub. Credit Karma puts Massachusetts in the Top 5 best states for teachers.
The state also is remarkably consistent in teacher compensation at all levels. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Massachusetts among the top states in pay for teachers in kindergarten ($85.470), elementary school ($83,790), middle school ($85.740), and high school ($85.360).
Benefits of Becoming a Teacher in Massachusetts
In addition to the great pay and support from the public education system, those who become a teacher in Massachusetts are in high demand. According to numbers compiled by the U.S. Department of Education, this is especially true for certain specialty subjects where the state is experiencing a teacher shortage.
- English as a Second Language
- Computer science
- Social studies
- Special education
- Mathematics
- World languages
- Science
- Language arts
Massachusetts teachers also receive a robust retirement benefits package. All state public school teachers are eligible for full retirement benefits at 55 with at least ten years of service or at any age with 20 years of service. The state calculates benefits using various factors, including retirement age, years of service, and the average of a teacher’s highest three consecutive years’ salaries.
Teachers are in demand across the state. Media reports indicate that both large and small school districts need teachers. Indeed.com currently has more than 6,700 job openings for teachers in Massachusetts.
The state itself is also an attraction. Massachusetts ranked in the Top 10 best states to live in, an annual list compiled by U.S. News and World Report. Based on federal data and multiple rankings from different sources, those who become a teacher in Massachusetts work in one of the best states to practice the teaching profession.