Salaries in the state of Connecticut are based on a number of factors, including degree, units of post-graduate work, leadership positions, and mentorship. The initial emphasis on salary is determined not only by the degree, but by the continuing process of becoming a teacher in Connecticut and seeking out opportunities for professional development. Seniority plays a role, too, as teachers enter new positions and take on greater responsibilities. When this happens, an educator with a teaching certification in Connecticut will receive stipends in addition to their salary. Another factor that impacts salaries is poverty in school districts, and the need for teachers to instruct in-demand subjects such as mathematics, science, or special education. Teachers may receive higher pay for teaching these subjects, too.
For the most part, a Connecticut certified teacher has a higher average salary than the national average for educators throughout the country. By and large, teaching requirements in Connecticut almost ensure that teachers seek out professional development, which the state rewards with higher salaries to guarantee that Connecticut teachers earn what their national counterparts do.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage | National mean wage |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $128,570 | $88,620 |
| Physics Teachers Postsecondary | $73,890 | $86,730 |
| Psychology Teachers Postsecondary | $72,740 | $74,890 |
| Education Teachers Postsecondary | $67,800 | $65,050 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers Postsecondary | $73,080 | $68,760 |
| Preschool Teachers Except Special Education | $30,770 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $63,830 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $66,920 | $55,270 |
| Middle School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $68,740 | $55,780 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $66,870 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers Preschool Kindergarten and Elementary School* | $71,900 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers Middle School | $68,050 | $58,420 |
| Special Education Teachers Secondary School | $71,270 | $59,080 |
The biggest cities in Connecticut form a collection of metropolitan areas. The average mean wage in these areas gives an idea about what educators can earn in an urban locality.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk | $55,080 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $55,910 |
| New Haven | $65,280 |
Helpful Resources
- Connecticut State Department of Education – Minimum Salary Schedules
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Employment Statistics Query System
- State of Connecticut General Assembly – Performance-based Pay for Teacher and School Administrators (in Connecticut Schools)
- Darien Public Schools – Agreed Language Between the Darien Board of Education and Darien Education Association, 2006-2009