The average teacher’s salary in Alaska depends on the specific school district where he or she is seeking employment. The state does not have a mandated standardized teacher’s salary, so new hires for different school districts will need to negotiate their yearly salary amounts with the administration. Prospective educators in this state should take note that significant salary differences can exist from one school district to the next.
According to the Association of Alaska School Boards, the average entry-level salary for a public school teacher in this state can range from $31,500 on the lowest end to $51,500 on the upper end. Salaries for public school teachers who have at least five years of experience can range from $40,000 to $69,550. This range also depends on the individual school districts and their exact location in the state of Alaska. Smaller rural districts tend to come with lower teacher salaries compared to larger metropolitan areas. One of the best-paying school districts in terms of Alaska teachers’ salaries is the North Slope Borough School District.
The average teacher salaries in Alaska can also vary noticeably by subject matter. Teachers who are certified in the sciences, technical trades or special education tend to earn somewhat higher salaries in many Alaskan school districts. The three major school district areas in the state include the Anchorage metropolitan area, the southeast Alaska non-metropolitan area and the southwest Alaska non-metropolitan area. The Anchorage area tends to have the majority of higher paying public school teacher jobs available.
The average public school teacher’s salary in Alaska can also depend on additional factors, such as local population density and demand for teachers with specific subject qualifications. Salaries for elementary, middle and high school teachers even in the same Alaska school district. All prospective teachers in Alaska need to have at least a four-year undergraduate degree and pass a series of standardized tests indicating mastery of their respective subjects. Experienced teachers with educators’ licenses from other states can use reciprocity qualifications to become certified to teach in Alaska. Many school districts often extend higher salary offers to teachers who have advanced graduate degrees, though this policy can also vary from one school district to the next.