A Utah Foundation study found that, on average, Utah teachers earn 27% less than full-time, college-educated employees in other professions. Many teachers are forced to work a second job. Many teachers will never make a wage that can support a family of five.
At current salaries, teaching is a less attractive profession, and Utah faces a severe teacher shortage. Some 3,000 teachers leave the profession each year and one study found that as many as 42% of teachers quit teaching within five years of starting. Turnover is a major problem.
Research is clear that the right compensation is the most effective way to recruit new teachers, help great teachers stay in the classroom and even help former teachers return to teaching.
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