Any Austin, TX teachers? Please respond quickly! (Houston, Round Rock: how much, home)

[alikat2480]

Hey everyone! Long story short - I’m contemplating taking a public school teaching job in Austin. I live in Mississippi so I would be moving. I’m wanting to know on average how much is withheld from a public school teacher’s paycheck for retirement, social security, taxes, etc. so I can see if I can afford this move based on what income I would actually be taking home monthly. The school I am speaking with says my salary would be around 46,000. Obviously I know this will vary teacher to teacher but I’m wanting to know a ballpark estimate. I need to let this principal know something within the next day or two.

Thanks for any help!

[ashbeeigh]

Depends on district. If you are at AISD you will have social security AND TRS taken out. if you are at another district they may not pull social security. This should be a factor in your decision, even if you are starting out as a young teacher and plan on staying in Texas. I am not a teacher so I don't know school salary. FICA is 6.05% of my salary while TRS is 7.7%. You may not get any answers from teachers right now since it is the middle of the school day, just an FYI.

[Pretzeltwist]

I teach in Round Rock ISD and we do not pay into Social Security, just Texas's Teacher Retirement System. I previously taught at Eanes ISD, and we also did not pay into Social Security. I've heard that Austin ISD requires teachers to pay into both Social Security and TRS, but I've also heard that S.S. is optional there, so I'm not sure.

[ScoPro]

AISD required payment into SS and the TRS when I worked there (retired 20 years ago).

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by Pretzeltwist

I teach in Round Rock ISD and we do not pay into Social Security, just Texas's Teacher Retirement System. I previously taught at Eanes ISD, and we also did not pay into Social Security. I've heard that Austin ISD requires teachers to pay into both Social Security and TRS, but I've also heard that S.S. is optional there, so I'm not sure.

Not optional.

Originally Posted by ScoPro

AISD required payment into SS and the TRS when I worked there (retired 20 years ago).

Still the same.

[houstonview]

$46k is low even for a first time teacher unless it’s a charter school.

Most school districts in the DFW & HOUSTON are starting $50-55k with no experience, more if you have a masters.

[ScoPro]

My starting salary (Giddings ISD) in 1967 was $5,044 annually, which was $200 above state minimum. Take home pay was about $380/month on a 12 month basis, IIRC.
Made the rent, utilities, and a new car payment of $83/month. We ate a lot of hamburger in those days. Lol

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by houstonview

$46k is low even for a first time teacher unless it’s a charter school.

Most school districts in the DFW & HOUSTON are starting $50-55k with no experience, more if you have a masters.

In the Austin area, that salary is pretty typical.

[Trainwreck20]

This is not based on my personal experience, but from Indeed.com for elementary school teachers:

Average in Austin, TX
$42,585 per year
8% Below national average

A few years back the Texas Tribune had AISD salaries included in the annual public records request, and most of the elementary school teachers at our local elementary were making in the mid-40s, which matches up pretty well.

MS and HS teachers make more.

[ScoPro]

That’s because it seems young rookie teachers are more prevalent in the primary grades. At least it was in years past.