Your starting teacher salary, or entry-level salary, is how much you’ll make in your first school year right after your teaching program. Across the nation, first-year teacher salaries are on the rise.

In Connecticut, like most states, starting salaries vary by district. You’ll also earn a higher starting salary with a master’s degree than you will with a bachelor’s.

Connecticut's average teacher starting salary is $49,860. (1)  The chart below shows samples of salaries for entry level teachers around Connecticut.
 

Did you know Connecticut has the sixth highest average teacher salary in the nation?

Average salary refers to what all teachers make, on average. That includes people who have been in the job for years. Connecticut’s average teacher salary is $86,511. (1) 

The chart below shows sample salaries for Connecticut teachers with a decade of experience and a master’s degree.
 

In Connecticut, you’ll receive retirement funds through the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System. The longer you’ve worked in the school system, the more you’ll receive in retirement. If you’ve put in 20 years of local service as a teacher, you can retire with full benefits at age 60. (4)

Vacation days will depend on your district, but in general you can expect: 

• Spring break
• December holiday break
• National holidays off
• Paid personal & sick days during the school year

As you probably know, teachers also get a long summer break. Teachers use this time to travel, explore professional development, relax or work elsewhere. Some districts offer summer positions for teachers, such as summer school classes or curriculum development jobs.

You can increase your knowledge and your pay through additional classes after you become a teacher. Many Connecticut school districts offer tuition reimbursement and paid professional development leave for teachers.

Tuition reimbursement can cover anywhere from three to six credit hours. Your district may also cover leave and expenses for you to pursue professional development such as conferences or trainings.

Building your skills can increase both your knowledge and your pay. It also helps districts retain top-notch educators—so it’s a win-win for everyone.  

Teacher Loan Forgiveness benefits public school teachers with federal student loans. To qualify, you’ll need to: 

Teachers in certain shortage areas, including math, science and special education can receive up to $17,500. If you teach a different subject, you can still get up to $5,000 in forgiven loans. 

Perkins Loan Forgiveness

You can get up to 100% of your Perkins loans forgiven if you teach a shortage area subject in a school that serves low-income students. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you’ve worked full-time in a public service field for 10 years, you may qualify to have your remaining student loans forgiven through Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Qualifying fields include government service, nonprofits and public education.

Alliance District Teacher Loan Subsidy Program

The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) is an organization that offers low-interest loans for eligible students. 

If you have at least $5,000 in private student loans, you may also qualify for CHESLA’s Alliance District Teacher Loan Subsidy (ADTLS) Program. If you teach in one of Connecticut’s 33 highest need school districts (also called Alliance Districts), you can: 

• Refinance up to $25,000 in private student loans.
• Receive a 3% interest rate subsidy.
• Get new interest rates of 0.75-2.49%, including the 3% subsidy. 

What does a 3% interest rate subsidy mean? Basically, as long as you teach in an Alliance District school, your interest rate will go down by 3% on top of your refinanced interest rate. if you stop teaching in an Alliance District school, you’ll keep your refinancing, but your interest rate will increase by 3%. 

Get more information about the ADTLS Program and eligibility requirements.

Buying a house is expensive, but there are resources to help teachers find a home in the community where they teach.

Good Neighbor Next Door

The federal government created Good Neighbor Next Door to contribute to community revitalization and to support people in service professions like teaching. The U.S. Department of Housing and Development offers a discount of 50% from the list price of qualifying homes.

Connecticut Teachers Mortgage Assistance

Connecticut Teachers Mortgage Assistance is designed to help teachers buy a home in Connecticut. How does it work? The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) offers:

• An additional 0.125% off already below-market interest rate loans. This benefit helps teachers in subject shortage areas or teachers working in high-needs districts become homeowners in the communities they serve. 
• 0.250% off of mortgage rates for teachers of color who are first-time homebuyers or who have not owned a home in the past three school years. (Note: The home must be your primary residence. Investment or vacation properties are not allowed.)

Homes for Heroes

Homes for Heroes assists educators by making the home buying, selling or refinancing process easier (and saving teachers money in the process)! Learn more about Homes for Heroes.