NJ Pay Scale for Teachers (Westfield, Asbury Park: house, condo, rent)

[Three11Fan]

Hello! I am a recent college graduate trying to get a job as a teacher in Central/North Jersey. Does anyone have any information on pay scales of specific towns? I understand that most towns pay close to 40, 000, but I cant seem to find any specifics. Any information would be much appreciated!

[MPBsr]

Each town sets their own pay scale for teachers.

[Collegeguy12]

Try northern Bergen county...basically the highest paid teachers in the nation. Every district does set their own pay scale, though, so one town might be 10k higher than the next. Good luck.

[njmom8]

Last year it was reported that Westfield has the highest starting salary for teachers in NJ....

[Radiojoe315]

To get a feel.. all of the teachers salaries are of course public knowledge. The state newspapers have compiled teacher (as well other state employees) salaries on a website.

If you search by district you can see what teachers in that district are making based on their experience, ect. I recommend it to give you a feel for different areas:

APP.COM DataUniverse | Asbury Park Press Online

Here is the link specifically to teacher salaries:
NJ Public School Search

[Njrover0216]

My sister n law just graduated and she is having an aweful time trying to find a job, she is in Ocean County

[Radiojoe315]

Lots of teachers are retiring across the state this year and next year. It seems like with the changes in their benefits/retirement packages they feel threatened. They seem threatened, so tell her (as I am sure she knows) keep on it.

[mb919]

Originally Posted by Njrover0216

My sister n law just graduated and she is having an aweful time trying to find a job, she is in Ocean County

Teaching, as I'm sure you and your sister know, is very political, and that's certainly true in Ocean County. I held two teaching positions, and both were a result of the fact that I knew someone (that and because I was good, too, but I'm not deluded enough to not understand that I wouldn't have had those jobs had I not known someone). Neither, by the way, were in Ocean County. It's not an easy place to get a job because so many families have lived in the same town for decades, and everyone who is "connected" seems to know everyone else.

[mb919]

Originally Posted by njmom8

Last year it was reported that Westfield has the highest starting salary for teachers in NJ....

You also have to remember that the districts that tend to pay best are also the most expensive areas in which to live. A $45,000 starting salary might sound really enticing until you realize that renting an apartment that you'd want to live in will run you $1,500 a month, and a decent condo or starter house will cost you over $300,000. It might be worthwhile to look in south Jersey where salaries might be lower than up north, but it's a little more feasible for the beginning teacher to support herself.

[MPBsr]

Originally Posted by mb919

You also have to remember that the districts that tend to pay best are also the most expensive areas in which to live. A $45,000 starting salary might sound really enticing until you realize that renting an apartment that you'd want to live in will run you $1,500 a month, and a decent condo or starter house will cost you over $300,000. It might be worthwhile to look in south Jersey where salaries might be lower than up north, but it's a little more feasible for the beginning teacher to support herself.

No where does it state that you must live in the town where you teach. You could do what most of us do...commute.