Minnesota has some unique factors that determine what a Minnesota certified teacher earns. After a starting salary, teachers can earn more based on the requirements for advancement, as stated in a recent Staffing and Salaries report, which expresses two indicators of salary. One is professional advancement, or the compliance with the conditions for a continuing license after becoming a teacher in Minnesota, and consummate experience. But a more significant determination is student enrollment; when enrollment is down, salaries decrease in adjustment. This has always been a contentious issue, as yearly political legislation is the biggest determinant to wages at the current moment. Presently, the issue is whether educators with a teaching certification in Minnesota should be paid more, but endure larger classrooms or receive smaller salaries in exchange for smaller classrooms.
The average teaching salary in the state is expressed here, and contrasted with the numbers for the rest of the country.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage in MN | Annual mean wage in U.S. |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $32,050 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $50,850 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $57,230 | $55,270 |
| Middle School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $55,110 | $55,780 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $55,720 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers Preschool Kindergarten and Elementary School | $57,570 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers Middle School | $60,670 | $58,420 |
| Special Education Teachers Secondary School | $59,430 | $59,080 |
Another significant issue in Minnesota teaching salaries is the wide disparity in wages between different urban areas. This can partly be attributed to underserved populations that need educators who have met the teaching requirements in Minnesota, and the state’s willingness to spend the money to hire teachers in at-need areas.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $50,950 |
| Rochester MN | $37,060 |
| Duluth MN-WI | $47,630 |
Resources
- Minnesota State Legislature – Staffing and Salaries
- U.S. Department of Education – Minnesota Department of Education, Revised State Plan for Meeting the Highly Qualified Teacher Goal
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Employment Statistics Query System