Acton Teacher Wages Grew 10x Faster than Private Sector Wages

Blog Post by Allen Nitschelm

Teachers in Acton, already near the top of the state in total compensation, have seen a 50% increase in their average wage over the past 10 years, according to Dept. of Education statistics. This growth rate is ten times faster than average wages in the private sector.

Wages in the private sector have not kept pace over the last 10 years. According to a report based on Commerce-Department data, wage growth in the private sector has been the worst on record, even worse than during the Great Depression.

Private sector wage growth has been nearly zero over the same timeperiod. U.S. Census data indicated a 4.2% growth from 2001 to 2011 in private-sector wages during the most-recent 10-year period.

The average Acton public school (elementary) teacher salary in 2009-10, the last year available on the DESE website, is reported as $76,371, which is number 30 for all school districts in the state. In 1999-2000, 10 years prior, it was reported as $52,185, 24th highest. The $24,186 difference represents a 46% increase over 10 years, or more than 10x more growth than salaries in the private sector.

There are a total of 328 school districts in Massachusetts. At number 30 in rank, Acton's teacher salaries are in the top 10% of all districts across the state....

See Acton Forum for complete article and links to documents.