Teaching is generally considered a rewarding career in the US. However, a common question asked by people intending to begin their teaching careers in Colorado is, what is the average teacher salary in Colorado compared to the national average?
This article provides detailed information about the various teaching salaries in Colorado. It also lists the eligibility requirements to become a licensed teacher in Colorado, information on different education departments, and training program requirements.
What Is the Average Teacher Salary in Colorado?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public elementary and secondary school teachers in Colorado earn $60,611 annually. However, your teacher compensation will vary depending on the school district and your educational qualifications and may include additional compensation in the form of health insurance and tuition reimbursement.
What Is the Average Salary of a Teacher in the United States?
Public elementary and secondary school teachers in the US earn $65,090 annually, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Individual salaries for a teacher job, however, could be slightly higher or lower due to factors like level of experience.
Average Teacher Salary in Colorado: K—12
| Level | Number Employed in {State} | Average Salary in Colorado | Average Salary in the United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 2,320 | $57,870 | $57,860 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 24,220 | $59,270 | $60,940 |
| Middle School Teachers | 12,600 | $59,580 | $60,810 |
| High School Teachers | 17,050 | $61,970 | $62,870 |
Basic Requirements to Become a Teacher in Colorado: K—12
- Get a degree. The first step to becoming a teacher in Colorado is to earn at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Education or any subject area you desire to teach. Although securing higher degrees like a master’s is not mandatory, getting advanced education can help secure teaching jobs that pay above the national average.
- Participate in a teacher preparation program. To teach in Colorado, you need to meet the training component by completing an accredited teacher preparation program. These professional development programs are designed to teach essential information you need to know to teach various grade ranges effectively.
- Write the Praxis exam. The Praxis test is a routine assessment used by the Colorado Department of Education as a license requirement. Its purpose is to evaluate your knowledge of your chosen subject area and important educational practices.
- Complete and submit your application form. After fulfilling every other requirement, you must submit all the documents specified by the Colorado Department of Education. You will also be required to pay a $90 application fee.
How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher in Colorado
To become a kindergarten teacher in Colorado, you must pass the Praxis 5024 (Education of Young Children) and Praxis 5205 (Teaching Reading: Elementary) tests. The Colorado Department of Education has set the pass mark for both tests at 160 and 159, respectively.
How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in Colorado
Elementary school teachers in Colorado need to take the Praxis 5205 (Teaching Reading: Elementary) and Praxis 5901 (Elementary Education: Three Subject Bundle) tests. The latter contains three subtests on mathematics, social studies, and science.
To qualify as an elementary school teacher, you need to score 159 on the Teaching Reading: Elementary test. In addition, you also need to score 157, 159, and 155 in the mathematics, science, and social studies subtests, respectively.
How to Become a Middle School Teacher in Colorado
If you want to become a middle school teacher in Colorado, you must have completed 24 credit hours in your subject area. You should also take the Praxis test for the specific subject you intend to teach.
How to Become a High School Teacher in Colorado
In Colorado, high school teachers must have completed 24 semester hours in their chosen subject. The Colorado State Board of Education also allows intending teachers to teach high school students by obtaining a qualifying score for their subject area in the Praxis test.
Average Teacher Salary in Colorado: Other Types of Teachers
| Type | Number Employed in {State} | Average Salary in Colorado | Average Salary in the United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 5,440 | $37,750 | $31,930 |
| Career and Technical Education Teachers | 730 | $63,700 | $59,140 |
| Adult Basic Education Teachers | 1,190 | $44,930 | $55,350 |
| Substitute Teachers | N/A | N/A | $38,410 |
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Colorado: Preschool
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education is essential to land a job as a preschool teacher in a Colorado public school. Although there are other ways to get a preschool teaching job without a bachelor’s degree in this field, this pathway is the most common.
- Enroll in a teacher preparation program. Teacher preparation programs are a mandatory job requirement for preschool teachers in Colorado, as they help to meet the training component. These training programs also cover practical lessons, foundational education coursework, and other methodical concepts like pedagogy.
- Fill in the preschool teacher verification form. Before you are allowed to work as a preschool teacher in Colorado, you will need to fill in the preschool teacher verification form. This form will contain your basic contact information and other details like your social security number.
- Submit all your documents. After you have filled out the form, you will need to submit it and other required documents to the Colorado Department of Education. You will also need to pay a $90 application fee and undergo a fingerprint scan so the Bureau of Investigation can determine if you have any prior criminal history.
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Colorado: Career and Technical Education
- Get the necessary occupational qualifications. You must have career experience in the particular subject area you wish to provide knowledge in. This career experience should include verified, non-volunteer positions unless otherwise specified by the Colorado State Department of Education.
- Fulfill the coursework criteria. The Colorado Department of Education website lists courses for intending career and technical education teachers to take. This course requirement may vary depending on whether you have a Colorado teaching license.
- Apply for a Career Teacher Education Authorization. To complete the Career Teacher Education Authorization application, you must submit a valid ID, a completed career teacher education worksheet, a score report for any Colorado State Board of Education approved exam, and other specified documents.
Requirements to Become a Teacher in {State}: Adult Basic Education
- Secure an associate degree. To be issued an Adult Basic Education Authorization by the Colorado Educator Talent Licensing Office, an associate degree from any of the top-rated community colleges in Colorado is the minimum educational requirement.
- Complete the required coursework. All Adult Basic Education teachers must demonstrate strong knowledge of four basic courses. These courses are available in many post-secondary institutions and are labeled EDU-131, EDU-132, EDU-133, and EDU-134.
- Submit your documents. The final requirement for receiving an Adult Basic Education Authorization is to submit all your documents, including your transcripts or certificate of equivalency. You would also need to prove that you are a US resident and pay the mandatory $90 application fee.
Requirements to Become a Substitute Teacher in Colorado
- Get a high school diploma or bachelor’s degree. Individuals with a high school diploma or GED are eligible to obtain a one-year substitute authorization. However, those with a bachelor’s degree can apply for a three or five-year substitute authorization, depending on if they have already gotten a Colorado teaching license.
- Pass a background check. Before becoming a substitute teacher in Colorado, you will need to scan your fingerprints. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will then carry out a background check and determine if you would be a good fit for a substitute authorization.
- Tender all your credentials. Once your background check file is with the Colorado Department of Education, you can submit your transcripts and other required documents.
Average Teacher Salary in Colorado: Special Education
| Type | Number Employed in {State} | Average Salary in Colorado | Average Salary in the United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 5,440 | $37,750 | $31,930 |
| Career and Technical Education Teachers | 730 | $63,700 | $59,140 |
| Adult Basic Education Teachers | 1,190 | $44,930 | $55,350 |
| Substitute Teachers | N/A | N/A | $38,410 |
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Colorado: Special Education
- Secure a bachelor’s degree. If you want to work as a special education specialist in Colorado, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree to get an endorsement. For some Special Education roles, teachers will even need a master’s degree before being deemed qualified.
- Complete a preparation program. Before you can take up any of the available Special Education student teaching opportunities in Colorado, you also need to complete an accredited training program. If you are unable to do this, you must provide a transcript showing 24 semester hours of coursework in Special Education.
- Take the content exams. You need to pass three exams before being endorsed by the Colorado Department of Education. They are the Special Education Generalist (Praxis 5354 or PLACE 20), Elementary Education (Praxis 5901 series), and Teaching Reading (Praxis 5205) exams.
- Fill out and submit your documents. After completing a teacher preparation program and receiving qualifying scores on all the required tests, you must fill out the application verification form, submit all the required documents, and pay the stipulated registration fee.
Is a Teacher’s Salary in Colorado Worth My Time and Money?
Yes, teacher salaries in Colorado are certainly worth the time and money. According to the NCES, an average four-year degree costs $25,281 for college students. Considering the fact that most public school teachers in Colorado earn a lot more than this amount as a yearly salary, taking up teaching opportunities in Colorado is clearly a great financial choice.
Teaching in Colorado also provides many opportunities for advancement, even if you only have a high school diploma or an associate degree. If you are a teacher thinking about moving to Colorado, alternatively to teaching in K-12 Licensed positions, there are many other education departments you can work at, as well as options for career changes for teachers to explore.
Teacher Salary in Colorado FAQ
You can make more money as a teacher by creating multiple income sources. For example, you could explore several passive income ideas to help increase your monthly earnings. You could also gain more certifications and attend more courses to qualify for better job opportunities when they arrive, or study for higher-paying positions like a special education specialist.
Yes, there are alternative programs for people seeking to teach in K-12 licensed positions in Colorado. Colorado even allows graduate students and professionals to transition into education by completing an approved alternative licensure program. Provided you pass the verification of licensing requirements in the state, you can qualify to teach in any district in Colorado.
You can qualify for loan forgiveness as a teacher in Colorado by working in rural schools or areas with a massive teacher shortage. Some rural districts in Colorado have a high need for teachers. As a result, rural teachers are more likely to receive help with their student loans.
Yes, several Colorado-based universities offer online teaching programs. You can even obtain an online Master of Education and work as a teacher in any school in Colorado if you meet all the other demands for the license requirement stated by the state’s education governing body. For practical learning, options with student teaching opportunities should be favored.
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