Apply to Teach in New York City Public Schools

Salary & Benefits

Make a living doing what you love. All New York City Public Schools teachers receive a professional salary and competitive benefits package, earning more for additional experience, coursework, and for taking on new responsibilities. 

Salaries

We offer extremely competitive salaries to newly hired teachers, along with extensive opportunities for salary increases. Review the teacher salary schedule, along with the guidance below, to estimate your salary.  

NYC Public Schools Teacher Salary Schedule Guidance:  

  • Be sure to review the salary schedule page with the most recent date. 
  • The left column lists the salary steps (e.g., 1A, 1B, 2A, etc.), which is an incremental increase in salary based on previous years of teaching experience as well as longevity at NYC Public Schools. Note that your salary step placement is finalized after you are hired. See here for additional context about qualifying for and applying for salary step increases.  
  • The top row lists the salary differentials (e.g., BAC1, C1+PD, etc.), which are salary increases based on credits earned after your bachelor’s degree. Note that you will need to apply for salary differentials as you begin teaching. See here for additional context about qualifying for and applying for salary differentials.  

Below are some sample scenarios to help you understand how the salary schedule works: 

Sample Scenario Salary

Salary step: 1A (no prior teaching experience) 

Salary differential: BAC1 (bachelor’s degree) 

$64,789 

Salary step: 1A (no prior teaching experience) 

Salary differential: C2+PD  (master’s degree) 

$72,832 

Salary step: 8A (eight years of teaching experience) 

Salary differential C2+PD (master’s degree)  

$89,085

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) provides additional resources to support teachers in understanding the salary process, including a salary calculator to help you estimate your salary. Be sure to select the most recent contract date to see the most accurate estimate. 

To learn more about teacher salaries, visit the UFT website and the Online Support Center. 

Benefits

Teachers can select from a variety of health insurance plans, several of which require no employee contributions. Coverage for teachers and their families (including registered domestic partners) begins on the first day of employment. Teachers also receive dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits through the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Welfare Fund. To learn more, please visit the New York City Office of Labor Relation's website. 

Financial Incentives

In addition to a competitive wage, there are additional financial incentives for NYC Public Schools teachers for taking on new roles and responsibilities and working in historically underserved school communities. Learn more by visiting our Financial Incentives webpage.  

Retirement

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York (TRS)—one of the largest pension systems in the country—provides NYC Public Schools teachers with retirement, disability and death benefit services. Teachers can also opt into our Tax-Deferred Annuity Program, a supplemental retirement plan that allows members to defer taxes on their contributions and any investment earnings from those contributions until they withdraw the money as income. 

As of January 2024, starting salaries range from $64,789 (bachelor’s degree, no prior teaching experience) to $89,085 (master’s degree, 8 years teaching experience, potentially additional coursework).