APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECTJob: Teacher

Locations: Baltimore MD, Tampa FL

Occupation’s Average IncomeOccupation Median Salary

University Faculty $62,050

Special Ed. Teacher $53,220

Librarian $54,500

Teachers $51,380

School Counselor $53,380

Teacher’s Salary Statistics

National Average Baltimore Tampa

Median Wages $56,310 $60,800 $46,200

City ComparisonBaltimore, MD Tampa, FL

Public transportation Poor Poor

School Systems Elementary Schools: 205Middle Schools: 41High Schools: 52Private: 113

Elementary Schools: 96Middle Schools: 33High Schools: 27Private: 64

Interesting Fact Home to Michael Phelps The temperature in Tampa has never hit 100 degrees

Average Living Expenses Expenses Baltimore, MD Tampa, FL

State Income Tax 2-5.75% + Baltimore City income tax .0320%

None

Rent for Apartment $1,300-6,000 per month $800-2,000 per month

Average Car Insurance $1,590 $1,742

Utilities $141.86 $147.05

Health Insurance $475 per month $257-328

Groceries $77.07 $74.27

Average Restaurant Index:

$83.04 $64.95

Cost of Living Comparison• You would need about $3,613.77 in Tampa, FL to maintain

the same standard of life that you can have for about $4,300.00 in Baltimore, MD

Graduate Degree Evaluation for Teaching Part I

Case Study:• Degree type: Elementary Teacher Education• Bachelor’s degree: $33,242• Master's degree: $43,997• Related careers: Any position within an elementary school

What Does This Mean?• Graduate degrees can help boost salaries • A Graduate degree is not necessary in every teaching

position and may not effect salary if working in a public school

Graduate Degree Evaluation for Teaching Part II

Considerations • The value of a Teaching Certification vs. Graduate School

• Average cost of graduate school: $30,000-$40,000

• Teaching Private Schools vs. Teaching in Public Schools

• The more advanced teaching level, the more it is recommended to have advanced degrees

Job Titles and Earnings Options with Graduate Degree

Job Title Earnings

Special Education Teacher $57,810

Vocational Education Teacher $48,360

Teaching Assistant $24,430

School Psychologist $68,900

University Professor $62,050

My Summary• By looking at my comparison between Tampa and

Baltimore and living on a teacher’s average salary of $51,380, I think I would prefer to live in Baltimore. I think my answer is a bit biased because that is where I am from, however, I am basing this decision mainly on my research about Graduate School. If I was a teacher, I would prefer to work in a private school. My research indicates that this will allow me to have more career upwards mobility and a higher salary. Although Baltimore is more expensive to live as a whole, it also has a lot of educational options with a wider variety of school types.