Salary & Benefits

Make a living doing what you love. All New York City Public Schools teachers earn a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.  

Salaries 

NYC Public Schools offers competitive starting salaries based on education and years of teaching experience. The starting salary for a teacher with a master’s degree and no prior teaching experience is currently $75,017, or $66,733 for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and no previous teaching experience. On September 14, 2025, these salaries will increase to $77,455 and $68,902, respectively. 

The recently ratified UFT contract also offers: 

• Yearly automatic increases 
• Annual retention bonuses (including a prorated retention bonus during your first year) 

The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) also offers a salary calculator to help you estimate your salary. 

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

Health Benefits 

Teachers can choose from a variety of health insurance plans, several of which require no employee contributions. Coverage for teachers and their families 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, visit the New York City Office of Labor Relation's website.  

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 in to our Tax-Deferred Annuity Program, a supplemental retirement plan that allows members to defer taxes on their contributions and investment earnings until they withdraw the money as income. 

Financial Incentives 

Teachers can earn additional incentives for taking on new roles and responsibilities and working in historically underserved school communities. Learn more by visiting the Financial Incentives webpage. 

Additional Benefits 

Teachers also receive commuter benefits, a college savings program, and employee discounts on everything from technology and media to travel and education.