What Salary Can You Command as an Arizona Teacher?

What kind of salary can you expect as a teacher in Arizona? The answer is: it depends. Many factors affect the salary you can command, such as:

Experience—New teachers obviously are going to make less than seasoned ones. If you’re just starting out, you can expect to make around $30,000, whereas the average salary for all teachers in Arizona is significantly higher at about $41,000.
Education—If you have a master’s degree, you’ll make about 20 percent more than if you just have a bachelor’s.
Grade Level—High school teachers in Arizona typically make a few thousand more per year than elementary teachers.
Specialty—Special education teachers, as well as highly specialized instructors such as vocational or technology teachers, make more in some schools.
Type of School—Arizona has public, private, special education, charter, and parochial schools. These schools can vary widely in the salaries they offer, but in general, you’ll make more in a public school than other settings.

Most first-year teachers can expect to make between $30,000 and $40,000, depending on education and the subject taught. If you bring specialized skills or knowledge to the classroom from a previous career other than teaching, some schools may be willing to compensate you for that expertise.