Utah’s Office of Education has several resources for the Utah certified teacher who sees the connection between professional development and higher salaries. Pay schedules dictate pay raises in conjunction with meeting professional development requirements. After becoming a teacher in Utah, most school districts reward teachers based on their years in a classroom, the classes they have taken for professional development, and their academic degree.
Utah’s average teaching salaries rank below the national average, but these numbers may be a better reflection of the age of teachers than a reflection of how Utah compensates teachers. Utah has a large labor pool of educators with the appropriate teaching certification in Utah, however, many are recent college graduates. This often means that they are lower on the pay scale than experienced teachers.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage in Utah | Annual mean wage in U.S. |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $23,500 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $39,940 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $45,850 | $55,270 |
| Middle School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $50,050 | $55,780 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education< | $46,540 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers Preschool Kindergarten and Elementary School | $46,740 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers Middle School | $49,710 | $58,420 |
| Special Education Teachers Secondary School | $51,220 | $59,080 |
Although teachers throughout the state meet the teaching requirements in Utah, their salaries range widely depending on the city or region in which they live and work.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Ogden-Clearfield, UT | $33,860 |
| Provo-Orem UT | $41,250 |
| Salt Lake City UT | $42,510 |
Helpful Resources
- The Salt Lake City Tribune – New report says Utah teacher salaries may not be so bad
- Utah Education Association – 2010-2011 Teacher Salary Scedules and Comparisons
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Employment Statistics Query System