Many people pursue teaching careers for reasons other than earning high salaries. Though some may pursue teaching careers out of a passion for learning, in Texas there are several opportunities that can lead to higher salaries. For example, teachers who work in certain districts with high poverty levels can earn more money than those who teach in wealthier districts. Additionally, many teachers receive overtime pay and benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans which can contribute significantly to their income.

Some of the opportunities that can help you decide if pursuing a career in high-paying districts is right for you include learning about salary, some of the highest-paying districts in Texas, and the high-paying teaching jobs that are available.

High-paying teaching job factors in Texas

experience, education, skill set and geographic location.

There are several ways to earn more money in a career within Texas. Factors that influence pay include experience, education level, skill set, and geographic location.

• Grade level:

  Salaries for teachers between elementary, middle, and high schools can be similar. Sometimes, middle school teachers earn more than elementary or high-school teachers.

• Location:

  Many factors can affect a teacher’s salary, including the cost of living and demand for teachers in a particular city or area.

• Experience:

  Many school districts offer higher salaries for teachers with more experience. Higher levels of education, like a master’s degree, can also lead to higher salaries.

• Demand:

  Some teaching positions are more in demand than others, which can affect how much you can earn. Subjects like English as a second language, special education and STEM subjects may lead to higher salaries.

• School type:

  Some schools that focus on a specific area of study might earn higher salaries than those that do not specialize. These can include technical institutes or academies that prepare students for careers in a particular subject area.

High-paying jobs for teachers in Texas

According to salary data gathered by the Texas Tribune, some high-paying jobs for teachers in Texas include teaching at a charter school or working in a rural area.

1. Webb Consolidated ISD

Average salary: $60,074 per year

Overview:

Webb Consolidated Independent School District is a school district with three campuses in Bruni, Texas, outside of Laredo. The teachers in this district have an average of almost 15 years of experience. Most of them have at least a bachelor’s degree, though some have earned master’s or doctorate degrees.

2. San Vicente ISD

Average salary: $61,257 per year

Overview:

San Vicente Elementary School is a one-campus elementary school in Brewster County, Texas. It serves students living in and around Big Bend National Park. The average experience for educators working in this district is 18.2 years.

3. Irving ISD

Average salary: $61,600 per year

Overview:  Irving ISD is a school district with 37 counties outside of Dallas. Teachers in this district have diverse backgrounds and experience, with the majority having bachelor’s and master’s degrees but several having no degree or a doctorate. The average years of experience for this district is 9.2, and the Irving ISD hires teachers for all grade levels from kindergarten through 12.

4. Mansfield ISD

Average salary: $62,421 per year

Overview:  Mansfield ISD is a large school district located in Fort Worth, Texas with over 35,000 students and 45 campuses. Nearly 70% of teachers have a bachelor’s degree, but 30% have earned higher education. The average experience for teachers in this district is 12 years.

5. Crowley ISD

Average salary: $63,514 per year

Overview:

Crowley is a large, independent district in Crowley, Texas. It has 20 campuses with elementary schools and several middle and high schools. The district employs over 1,100 teachers who have earned bachelor’s degrees on average. This gives the Crowley educators a very experienced staff that is comparably well-educated when compared to other districts in the state.

6. Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD

Average salary: $63,623 per year

Overview:

Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD is a large district with 30 campuses. The district has opportunities to teach at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12th grade. Around 66% of the teachers in this district have a bachelor’s degree. The average teacher in this district has 12 years of experience.

7. Lackland ISD

Average salary: $63,842 per year

Overview:

Lackland ISD is a district in San Antonio, Texas, with almost 1,100 students. Teachers in this district mostly earned bachelor’s degrees but about 40% have master’s degrees. The average experience for teachers in Lackland ISD is 13.3 years.

8. Deer Park ISD

Average salary: $64,207 per year

Overview:

Deer Park ISD is a district located in Deer Park, Texas, near Houston. The school has 14 campuses and over 12,000 students. Most of the teachers in this district earned a bachelor’s degree while more than a quarter have a master’s degree. Teachers with over 20 years of experience can earn over $70,000 annually.

9. Grady ISD

Average salary: $66,182 per year

Overview:

Grady Independent School District is a small district in Lenorah, Texas, with around 250 students. The students are enrolled in programs like career and technical education, gifted and talented education, English as a second language classes and special needs programs. The teachers have an average of 14 years of experience.

10. Draw Academy

Average salary: $66,877 per year

Overview:

The Draw Academy is a one-campus school district in Houston, Texas. Of its 675 students, the majority are bilingual and have come from various backgrounds. Teachers in the district have an average of 3.7 years of experience and most hold a bachelor’s degree.

11. Academy for Academic Excellence

Average salary: $86,618 per year

Overview:

The Academy for Academic Excellence is a charter school in Dallas, Texas, that serves students who are incarcerated or have been sentenced to juvenile detention centers. Teachers at this school can expect to earn over $86,000 within their first five years of teaching. The average years of experience for teachers in this school is 14.9 years.