Educators work tirelessly to inspire and motivate their students, often going above and beyond their job description to ensure every child has a chance to succeed.
However, there is one question that many people ask when it comes to teacher salary: do teachers get paid in the summer?
It’s a simple question, but the answer is not straightforward because it changes based on their contract with their school district or employer, experience level, and location.
It can significantly impact a teacher’s financial stability and overall job satisfaction, making it an important topic to explore.
In this article, we’ll look at whether teachers get paid during the summer and what are summer jobs for teachers.
Do Teachers Get Paid In The Summer?
Some teachers do get paid during the summer, while others don’t. Teacher salary is determined by their contract with their school district or employer.
Teacher pay for the school year contracts can vary widely depending on the district, state, and type of school (public or private).
If you’re considering becoming a teacher, you’ll want to review the job listings to see if you’re salaried and paid every week or if you’re hourly during the school year.
Here’s more information on how teachers get paid and what benefits they receive:
How Do Teachers Get Paid?
Teachers who work on a 9- or 10-month contract aren’t usually paid during the summer months, as their contract only covers the current school year.
However, some districts offer teachers the option to spread their pay over 12 months, which means they receive smaller paychecks throughout the full year.
Some teachers may earn extra income during the summer by teaching summer school, tutoring, or working in other educational programs.
If they don’t have those options, teachers will find online jobs or side jobs during the summer months before returning to school in the fall.
Teachers who work on a 12-month contract, such as those who work in year-round schools, are typically paid throughout the year, including the summer.
Example Pay:
Here’s a hypothetical example to illustrate how a teacher’s school year pay might work during the summer:
Ms. Smith is a high school English teacher in a public school district. Her yearly salary for teaching classes is $60,000, and she is on a 10-month contract.
She receives her regular salary in 10 installments of $6,000 each from September to June. So during the summer, her income is $0.
However, Ms. Smith’s contract also includes an option for her to teach summer school and be paid an additional $3,000 per course.
She can earn an additional $6,000 over the summer if she teaches two summer school courses, plus her contract allows her to start profitable side hustles to make more money.
So Ms. Smith can potentially earn a total of $66K per year if she does summer courses or other paying jobs.
Average Teacher Annual Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States for the 2021 school year, the average teacher salaries for elementary, middle, and high school teachers were:
The salary teachers get paid can vary significantly depending on the teacher’s location, level of education, and years of experience.
For instance, the highest-paying states for teachers are generally located on the Northeast and West Coast, such as New York, Massachusetts, and California.
In contrast, the lowest-paying states are often located in the South and Midwest, such as Mississippi, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.
Most teachers with advanced degrees, such as a Master’s Degree or Doctorate, tend to earn more than those with only a Bachelor’s degree.
Similarly, teachers with many years of experience also tend to have higher salaries than those just starting their careers.
Most teachers have reported feeling overworked and underpaid despite the potential for higher salaries.
This has led to a shortage of teachers in certain areas and calls for increased funding for education and higher salaries for teachers.
Typical Teacher Benefits
In addition to their salary, most teachers receive benefits from their employers. These benefits can vary, but common benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off:
Health Insurance
Health insurance is an important benefit for many teachers, as it helps them cover the cost of medical care and can protect them from financial hardship in the event of an illness or injury.
Many school districts offer comprehensive health insurance plans for many teachers and their families, which may include coverage for medical, dental, and vision care.
Retirement Plans
Retirement plans are another important benefit for teachers, as they help them save for their future and plan for a comfortable retirement.
Many school districts offer defined benefits or defined contribution plans for teachers, which may include options such as pensions, 401(k) plans, or other retirement savings plans.
Paid Time Off
Paid time off is also an important benefit for teachers. It allows them to take time off for vacation, illness, or personal reasons without sacrificing pay or job security.
Some school districts offer paid time off benefits such as vacation days, spring break pay, sick days, personal days, or other forms of leave.
Other Bonuses/Incentives
In addition to these benefits, some teachers may also be eligible for bonuses or other incentives based on their performance or the performance of their students.
These incentives can take many forms, such as merit pay, performance bonuses, free breakfasts, or awards for excellence in teaching.
While not all teachers may be eligible for these incentives, they can provide an extra financial boost and recognition for teachers who go above and beyond.
Summer Jobs For Teachers
For teachers looking to supplement their income, the summer break can also be a great time to take on an extra job that pays well, and you can work from home.
Here are nine summer job opportunities that teachers might want to consider for their summer vacation.
1. Proofreader
Becoming a proofreader is a sweet gig if you’re a teacher looking to make some extra cash during the summer break.
All you have to do is review documents and make sure they’re free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
And since teachers are experts in education and have an eagle eye for detail, they’re perfect for the job.
But the best part? You can do it from anywhere!
You could be soaking up the sun at the beach or lounging poolside while working on your assignments during spring break or summer vacation.
Want to learn more about starting a proofreading business?
Proofread Anywhere has a FREE workshop that can help you learn more about proofreading during summer vacation!
2. Blogger
Blogging can be an excellent summer job for teachers and even become a year-round money-maker.
It offers teachers the opportunity to earn extra income, have a creative outlet, and share expertise with a wider audience while actively teaching.
As a teacher, you already have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from, making blogging a natural fit for many educators.
Teachers often have a more relaxed schedule during the summer months, which makes it the perfect time to focus on building a blog.
With a blog, you can work from anywhere with an internet connection, whether at home, at a coffee shop, or even on school breaks.
Check out our FREE Start Your Blog Bootcamp for more info about starting your blog and starting on your way to financial freedom!
3. Bookkeeper
Bookkeeping can be a fantastic side hustle for teachers with a keen eye for detail and great organizational skills.
This specialized job involves maintaining financial records, creating invoices, and working with spreadsheets. Since teachers excel at these same skills, bookkeeping is a natural fit.
Plus, bookkeeping is well-paid, making it a great way to supplement your income for the entire year.
If you’re new to bookkeeping and want to learn more, you can even take free classes from Bookkeeper Launch to get started.
They’ll teach you everything you need to know to get started making more money and help you become a pro.
4. Freelance Writer
Freelance writing is a great choice for teachers who possess exceptional writing skills. As a freelance writer, you can create content for various websites, blogs, and companies.
You can excel in this field with advanced knowledge of structuring articles, excellent grammar, and research abilities.
Moreover, you can even specialize in writing educational content, education blogging, and contributing to academic journals.
And if you want to learn more about freelance writing, check out our new course, Freelance Write From Home.
We’ll teach you everything you need to know to start a writing business, from finding clients to writing killer content.
5. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistance is a fantastic option for teachers who want to work remotely from anywhere with an internet connection.
You can offer administrative assistance, customer service, social media management, bookkeeping, and other online tasks.
Businesses will assign you tasks to complete and provide the programs and equipment needed to complete them.
One excellent resource for finding virtual assistant jobs is FlexJobs. This job platform lists flexible and remote job opportunities, including virtual assistant jobs.
6. Transcriptionist
Transcription could be a great option to get paid during the summer holidays if you’re a teacher with excellent listening and typing skills.
Transcription involves converting an audio or video file into written text. As a teacher, you likely have the attention to detail and typing speed needed to succeed in this field.
One great thing about transcription is that you can focus on education-specific content, such as lectures, webinars, podcasts, and study materials.
If you’re new to transcription and want to learn more, we recommend checking out Transcribe Anywhere.
With Transcribe Anywhere, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the transcription industry.
7. Online Tutor
Are you a teacher looking to make a positive impact on students beyond the classroom?
Why not consider being a private tutor to supplement your summer pay? You can help students who need extra support in various subjects.
You can set your own rates, tutor in multiple subjects, and work whatever hours you want.
You’re even able to tutor virtually or in person, giving you more flexibility for making money during the summer and school year.
To find students who need your help, you can sign up with BookNook. This tutoring platform connects current and retired teachers with students seeking academic support.
8. Flea Market Flipper
Flea market flipping is another way teachers can make money year-round on the side.
This could be the perfect summer job if you love scouring flea markets, garage sales, or thrift stores searching for hidden treasures!
Flea market flipping involves finding undervalued antique or vintage items, then flipping them for a profit.
To get started with flea market flipping, you can learn from online resources like the free workshop offered by Flea Market Flipping.
9. Online Course Creator
As a teacher with a deep understanding of a particular subject, you already have the knowledge to create a comprehensive and engaging online course.
The best part about creating an online course is that you can do it on your own time, making it a perfect side hustle for teachers during the summer break.
You can transform existing teaching materials into an online course or create a brand-new one from scratch.
You can take the Six-Figure Course Creator course to create a successful online course, from picking the right topic to marketing it to potential students.
FAQs
Do teachers get paid over summer break or winter break?
Teachers typically don’t get paid for summer break or winter break.
While some teachers may have their pay spread evenly over the year, they technically get paid for the number of days they’re contracted to work, usually around 180-190 days per year.
This means that teachers don’t receive payment for summer or winter breaks or other holidays.
But if teachers are contracted for 12 months, their pay is spread out every month rather than just 9 – 10 months.
Do public schools pay more than private schools?
Public school districts in some states pay teachers more competitive salaries and benefits, as taxpayers fund them and may have more resources than private schools.
However, some private schools may offer higher salaries and benefits to attract and retain talented teachers, especially private charter schools.
Private schools also offer other benefits for a teaching job, such as smaller class sizes and more autonomy in the classroom.
What do teachers do during the summer?
Many teachers use the summer months to pursue professional development opportunities.
They can attend conferences or take online courses on SkillShare to improve their skills, knowledge, and professional development.
Others may use the time to catch up on lesson planning for the upcoming school year or other administrative tasks for their school system.
Additionally, some teachers take part-time jobs, such as tutoring and coaching at summer camps, or they teach summer classes.
Many teachers also use the summer months to rest and recharge, spend time with family and friends, travel, or pursue hobbies and interests outside of teaching.
What summer jobs are best for teachers?
Depending on their skills and interests, many part-time job options can be a good fit for teachers during the summer months.
Some popular options include proofreading, blogging, and online tutoring.
These jobs can offer flexible schedules, the opportunity to work with children and youth, and the chance to earn extra income.
Additionally, some teachers may be able to find part-time work in related fields such as writing, editing, or freelance consulting.
What state pays teachers the most?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the top 5 states that pay teachers the most are New York, Massachusetts, California, the District of Columbia, and Washington.
Here’s the average salary for each state:
- New York- $92,222
- Massachusetts – $88,903
- California – $87,275
- District of Columbia – $82,523
- Washington – $81,586
Our Thoughts
Do teachers get paid in the summer? The answer varies, but typically teachers don’t get paid during the summer months.
Teachers that don’t get paid all year round use summer school and other jobs to make money, including some of our favorite work-from-home jobs.
From blogging and tutoring to freelance writing and more, teachers have many options for making extra cash during the summer months.
And with the flexibility of these side hustles, many teachers can work on their own time and at their own pace, allowing them to have the perfect balance between work and play.
Whether earning a few extra bucks to pay off some bills or building a new career, summer side hustles offer endless possibilities for teachers to get paid in the summer.
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