If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, you might find this information helpful. What do private school teachers make? On average, they earn less than public school teachers. But some private schools can pay handsomely—over $100,000 annually. Private high school teachers at boarding schools can make a lot more than their counterparts in public schools due to the number of students they teach. While teaching at an elite boarding school in New York City, for example, it’s not uncommon for freshman English teachers to earn over $150k/year.

Private School Teacher Salary

How much does a Private School Teacher make?

The average Private School Teacher in the US makes $48,409. Private School Teachers make the most in San Francisco at $73,072, averaging total compensation 51% greater than the US average.

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Private Schools Teacher Jobs in the U.S.

We found at least five jobs related to the Private Schools Teacher job category that pay more per year than a typical Private Schools Teacher salary. Top examples of these roles include: Work From Home HIGH School Agriculture Teacher, Vice President Elementary School Teacher, and Work From Home HIGH School Algebra Teacher.

Importantly, all of these jobs are paid between $19,665 (43.1%) and $25,969 (56.9%) more than the average Private Schools Teacher salary of $45,624. If you’re qualified, getting hired for one of these related Private Schools Teacher jobs may help you make more money than that of the average Private Schools Teacher position.

Private School Pay Environment

As you might expect, there are disparities in private school teacher salaries. On the low end of the compensation, the spectrum is parochial and boarding schools. At the other end of the scale are some of the nation’s top independent schools.

Parochial schools often have teachers who are following a calling, more than they are following the money. Boarding schools offer significant benefits, such as housing, thus teachers tend to make significantly less on paper. Top private schools in the country have often been in business for many decades, and many have large endowments and a loyal alumni base from which to draw support.

At most private schools, the cost of tuition does not cover the full cost of educating a student; schools rely on charitable giving to make up the difference. Those schools with the most active alumni and parent bases will typically offer higher salaries for teachers, while schools with lower endowments and annual funds may have lower salaries. A common misconception is that all private schools carry high tuition and have multimillion dollar endowments, and therefore, must offer high salaries.

However, the overhead that these private schools carry, including sprawling campuses that span hundreds of acres with multiple buildings, state-of-the-art athletics and arts facilities, dormitories, and dining commons that offer three meals a day, shows that the costs may be warranted. The difference from school to school can be great. 

Boarding School Salaries

An interesting trend involves boarding school salaries, which have typically been lower than their day school counterparts. Boarding schools typically require faculty to live on campus in free school-provided housing. Since housing is generally about 25 to 30 percent of an individual’s living expenses, this often is a substantial perk.

This benefit is especially valuable with the high cost of housing in parts of the country, such as the Northeast or Southwest. However, this benefit also comes with additional responsibilities, as boarding school teachers are usually asked to work more hours, taking on dorm parent, coaching, and even evening and weekend supervisory role