Teacher Take-Home Pay, Maryland (Baltimore: apartments, insurance, find a job)

[Anon92]

Hello.

I'll be graduating with a masters in Elementary Education and I've been eyeing Howard County (and a few others, but mainly HoCo) as my best bet in carving out a life for myself as a teacher. Does anyone know what the average salary is for a teacher in Maryland with a master's degree and zero years experience? What percent of my paycheck will go towards taxes and other fees? What would my actual take-home pay look like?

Also, some other questions: Are teachers treated well in Maryland? Is it hard to find a job opening in counties like Howard or Anne Arundel? I've read some horror stories; not very encouraging... Is there a minimum number of counties I should have in mind once I begin looking for a job? Five? Ten? Fifty? Anything you all feel like adding will be appreciated, because I've NO idea WHAT to expect. xD Thank you!

~Anon

[Anon92]

Oh, Post-Script: Not sure I posted this thread in the right place. If so, please tell me! '^^

[DaveinMtAiry]

Honestly I'm not sure if you are in the right place or not but it couldn't hurt to start on a Maryland board. Good luck, the world needs more good teachers.

[westsideboy]

The master's degree, zero experience doesn't help. You would be still be a rookie, but would be paid according to your degree status. I would make sure my resume, cover letter, references, interview skills, and background knowledge of the school (school system) you are interviewing with are all as perfect as you can possibly get them to overcome this.

Teachers, in general, are paid well in Maryland.............but the cost of living is high in the places you are mentioning, so it is often a wash.

As for where to look, there are only 24 jurisdictions in Maryland, 23 counties and Baltimore City. These range from inner city, to suburban affluence, to farm country, to the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Appalachian Mountains on the other. Each region is different. What are looking for in a place to live? Amenities? Most bang for your buck? Scenic beauty? Young people?

[Anon92]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

Each region is different. What are looking for in a place to live? Amenities? Most bang for your buck? Scenic beauty? Young people?

Actually I'm looking for all of that! I'll be 23 by the time I graduate and anything with a decent mall, movie theaters, anything that screams BARGAIN, is right up my alley. I also love the idea of living in a seasonal state, and seeing snow for the first time in my life, and western MD seems to have all of that.

I've also scoured the web on information on my potential salary; some say $50,000 and others say $40,000 or $30,000. I just want some idea if what I might make so I can find any apartments within my price range. Or, if it's even feasible for me to live in Western MD.

~Anon

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by Anon92

Actually I'm looking for all of that! I'll be 23 by the time I graduate and anything with a decent mall, movie theaters, anything that screams BARGAIN, is right up my alley. I also love the idea of living in a seasonal state, and seeing snow for the first time in my life, and western MD seems to have all of that.

I've also scoured the web on information on my potential salary; some say $50,000 and others say $40,000 or $30,000. I just want some idea if what I might make so I can find any apartments within my price range. Or, if it's even feasible for me to live in Western MD.

~Anon

Well, if you land a teaching gig in Allegany County with a Master's degree, you will be living a middle class live on one income from the get go, and with a decade or so of tenure or a 2nd wage earner, you will be UMC.

I can't give you a hard and fast number, but despite being one of the state's poorest counties, our median teacher salary is ABOVE the state average, roughly 60k. That isn't starting salary, and is a bit skewed by the fact that we have a very low turnover rate. But when you consider our median HOUSEHOLD income is below 40k, even a starting salary is good money.

There is no harm in applying. I will say don't get your hopes up too much, the public schools are part of the political machine in Allegany County, and not easy to break into, unless you know the right people or have the right name. You can look one county west into Garrett County, but if you have zero experience with snow, I would be very weary. They get a ton of snow up there and make it a point of pride to keep schools and services running in spite of it.

Washington County to our east (not Western Maryland, but close to it) is a growing county, and it may be easier to get a job there, but I don't know for sure.

[Anon92]

Ok, I'll take that into consideration. Thanks for the input. ^^

[Anon92]

Actually, I just found this PDF that lists a salary schedule for teachers in Maryland. For anyone who currently is (or has been) a MD public school teacher, do the salaries look precise?

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org...6/salsch12.pdf

[Anon92]

Here it is, sorry: http://www.marylandpublicschools.org...6/salsch12.pdf

[North Beach Person]

Your link still didn't take.

Generally, MD school systems start BS Step 1 at either side of $40K. Those systems in the Metro DC area will be a bit higher while the Western MD and Eastern Shore systems are likely lower.

Your original question was about take home pay. Of course you will have Social Security deducted, Federal and State Income Tax (figure around 7% for that with the State and County Piggyback tax deduction), 8% taken out for the State Retirement System. Your other deductions for insurance, etc. will be local.

Be aware, with a Master's and Step 1 newbie you are going to be an expensive hire for Elementary Ed. There are legions of ElEd people with a new BS who will be cheaper than you.