TeacherPortal Salary Comfort Score

5th

friendliest state for teachers

(what's this?)

Pennsylvania is the birthplace of our constitution, and, with myriad of famous landmarks such as the liberty bell, an exciting place to teach at any grade level. 

This state is fifth on our comfort scale with average starting salaries of $34,976 and average overall salaries of $54,027.  It helps to get your Masters in Education if you're thinking about becoming a teacher in Pennsylvania.

How do salaries grow in Pennsylvania?

Starting Salary: $34,976
Average Salary: $54,027

Student/Teacher Ratios in Pennsylvania, 2006

Number of Teachers: 122,378
Number of Students: 1,835,670
Students per Teacher: 15.0

Kickstart your Pennsylvania Teaching Career

Top Online Schools

Liberty University Online Campus 
  • EdD in Teaching and Learning
  • MA in Teaching - Elementary Education
  • MA in Teaching - Secondary Education
  • MEd in Administration and Supervision
  • BS in Education
  • EdD in Educational Leadership
  • EdS in Educational Leadership
  • MA in Teaching - Special Education
  • MEd in School Counseling
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - Elementary Education
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - Special Education
  • Master's in Religious Education
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - General Education
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - Secondary Education
  • EdS in Teaching and Learning
  • AA in Education
  • MEd Program Specialist - Gifted Specialist
  • MEd Program Specialist - Early Childhood Specialist
  • MEd Program Specialist - Math Specialist
  • MEd Program Specialist - Reading Specialist
Click here for information about Liberty  
Western Governors University Online Campus 
  • BA in Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • MA in Teaching - Science (5-9 or 5-12)
  • MA in Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • MA in Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)
  • BA in Social Science (5-12)
  • MA in Teaching - Social Science (5-12)
  • MEd - Instructional Design
  • MS in Special Education
  • MS in Educational Leadership
  • BA in Special Education
  • BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation (K-8)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Science (5-9 or 5-12)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Social Science (5-12)
  • BA in Science (5-9)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Biological Science)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Chemistry)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Geosciences)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Physics)
  • MA in Science Education (5-9)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Biological Science)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Chemistry)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Geosciences)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Physics)
  • Endorsement Prep Program in ELL (PK-12)
  • MA in English Language Learning (PK-12)
  • MEd - Learning and Technology
  • MEd - Measurement and Evaluation
  • BA in Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade 3)
  • Endorsement Preparation Program in Educational Leadership
Click here for information about Western Governors  
Grand Canyon University Online Campus 
  • BS in Secondary Education - English
  • BS in Secondary Education - Math
  • BS in Secondary Education - Social Studies
  • MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Reading
  • MEd in Education Administration - Organizational Leadership
  • MEd in Education Administration - School Leadership
  • MEd in Elementary Education
  • MEd in Elementary Education
  • MEd in Secondary Education
  • MEd in Secondary Education
  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in Special Education - Certified Special Educators
  • MEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • BS in Elementary Education - English
  • BS in Elementary Education - Science
  • BS in Elementary Education - Math
  • BS in Elementary Education / Special Education
  • BS in Secondary Education - Business Education
  • BS in Elementary Education - Early Childhood
  • MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Technology
  • MA in Teaching
  • MEd in Education Administration
  • Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Behavioral Health
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Effective Schools
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Higher Education Leadership
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Instructional Leadership
  • BA in English Literature
  • BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
  • BA in History
  • Continuing Teacher Education Courses
Click here for information about Grand Canyon  

Talk About Salaries in Pennsylvania

6 Comments

jadamowicz at 07:12 PM on 12/25/08


I'm a LI (NY) teacher with my MA...I'm wondering if the cost of living is really significant enough to make life easier on a teacher's salary in PA

saulangus at 08:36 PM on 02/07/09


I am also a Brooklyn, NYC teacher. I am thinking of relocating to PA. Is it easy obtaining a job as a teacher?

pa teacher at 05:07 AM on 02/16/09


I relocated to Bucks County Pa two years ago from LI. The cost of housing and taxes are less expensive, although finding a job in PA has not been easy. There are many teachers in the area and as an out of stater it can be difficult. There is especially a glut of elementary ed teachers. If you teach high scool special ed. your chances of finding a job are better. It also took me several months to actually get my PA certification. Just something to think about before you move!

treefrog86 at 07:03 PM on 07/28/09


pa teacher, im currently getting my certification in art education in new jersey. however, i am moving to pa after i graduate. i am farily sure of what is expected of me to get a certification in pa, however i would like to make sure i am right. i know pa requires two semesters of college level math, so i have to take one more, also i need to take three more praxis tests (one in math, one in eng, and another in reading i believe) and the rest is paper work. any other advice would be great!

sunnygirl at 05:07 AM on 08/01/09


this is for treefrog86...I am a elementary pa teacher and you might want to look into the Praxis test further. I am thinking you will have to also take a content Praxis in Art Education. If it is for elementary there might be still another test you need to take. All in all I think I had 5 test and one extra for Early Childhood. Hope this helps! Good luck. For the others relocating to PA, if you are looking for Elementary, be prepared for a long haul in job searching. There are a lot of teachers in PA looking. Enless you are willing to teacher in a large city, then you will be looking for a while.

melodee at 01:59 PM on 08/12/09


Hello. I have a question for sunnygirl. I will be graduating with an Early Childhood/Elementary Education degree from Kean University in NJ this coming fall semester. I already took both Praxis content knowledge areas for both and passed. However, I am planning on moving to Pittsburgh after I graduate. I spoke to the PA Department of Ed and they told me I may need to take a Praxis 1 exam. Is there any pointers or suggestions you can give me? Thanks.



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