One of the most important jobs is a public school teacher, from elementary education through high school. Sharing knowledge with kids is a key part of our society, but even an important job needs to make sense financially. Teacher salaries vary significantly from state to state, though the average teacher salary in Florida is very close to the national average.
Whether you want to become a high school teacher or elementary school teacher in Florida, you’ll need to know the state requirements to become a teacher in Florida, as well as what the average teacher salary in Florida is for different kinds of teachers. In this guide, we’ll share official salary information from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, along with some additional career insights.
What Is the Average Teacher Salary in Florida?
The average teacher salary in Florida public schools is $49,538, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Teacher salaries in Florida vary depending on the age of your students, the school district you teach in, and whether you teach for a public or private school.
What Is the Average Salary of a Teacher in the United States?
According to NCES, the average salary of a teacher in the United States is $65,090. Teacher salaries and benefits vary depending on school level, geographical location, and specialization. On average, teachers make more than the average salary across all occupations, which is $58,260.
Average Teacher Salary in Florida: K—12
| Level | Number Employed in Florida | Average Salary in Florida | Average Salary in the United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | 8,010 | $59,040 | $64,490 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 63,520 | $61,510 | $67,080 |
| Middle School Teachers | 32,700 | $60,280 | $66,880 |
| High School Teachers | 50,920 | $64,120 | $69,530 |
Basic Requirements to Become a Teacher in Florida: K—12
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. Florida requires teachers to earn a bachelor’s degree, which may be in education or another subject area.
- Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). Florida requires teachers to pass the FTCE before they are allowed to teach in the state. Once you pass the FTCE, you’ll earn a Florida Professional Certificate (FPC).
- Pass the Florida General Knowledge Test. The Florida General Knowledge Test is a part of the FTCE. It covers reading, math, and general English language knowledge plus an essay section.
- Pass the necessary Subject Area Test(s). Teachers need to pass a subject test for the subject and level they will teach.
How to Become a Kindergarten Teacher in Florida
Kindergarten teachers in Florida are required to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education from an approved program. Teachers are also required to pass the Primary PK-3 test or the Elementary Education K-6 Test before they are allowed to teach in Florida.
How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in Florida
Florida Elementary school teachers need to have a bachelor’s degree from a state-approved elementary teacher preparation program. They also need to pass the FTCE, the Florida General Knowledge Test, and relevant Subject Area Tests.
How to Become a Middle School Teacher in Florida
To become a middle school teacher in Florida, you need a bachelor’s degree, and you need to pass the FTCE which includes the General Knowledge Test, and relevant Subject Area Tests. If you didn’t do any classroom teaching practice as part of your undergraduate degree, you may have to do some student teaching.
How to Become a High School Teacher in Florida
High school teachers in Florida are required to have a bachelor’s degree and pass the FTCE, including a General Knowledge Test and relevant Subject Area Tests. If your bachelor’s degree wasn’t a teacher training program, you’ll need to complete a student teaching program.
Average Teacher Salary in Florida: Other Types of Teachers
| Type | Number Employed in Florida | Average Salary in Florida | Average Salary in the United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 25,900 | $29,890 | $52,420 |
| Career and Technical Education Teachers | 8,330 | $67,970 | $69,310 |
| Adult Basic Education Teachers | 1,610 | $60,590 | $65,910 |
| Substitute Teachers | 11,310 | $40,870 | $38,680 |
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Florida: Preschool
- Complete an approved teacher preparation program. Preschool teachers in Florida are required to complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a similar subject.
- Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). To get your professional teaching certificate in Florida, prospective teachers must pass the FTCE.
- Maintain your educator certificate. Keep your teaching license current by renewing it before it expires. Currently, certificates are valid for five years, or three years if it is a temporary certificate.
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Florida: Career and Technical Education
- Complete an approved teacher preparation program. Career and Technical Education teachers in Florida are required to complete a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree in the field relevant to where they want to specialize.
- Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). Career and Technical Education teachers are also required to pass the FTCE to get their professional teaching certificate in Florida.
- Complete a student teaching program. In a student-teaching program, trainee teachers have a teacher mentor. The mentor will teach the trainee how to teach students in a classroom and how to monitor student performance.
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Florida: Adult Basic Education
- Hold a bachelor’s degree. Adult teachers in Florida need a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree that is relevant to the subject they will be teaching. If you want to teach at a college or university, you’ll need a graduate degree.
- Complete a teacher preparatory program or a master’s degree. Adult Basic Education teachers in Florida are expected to take a state-approved teacher training program. These programs cover how to effectively teach students and how to assess student performance.
- Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). Adult Basic Education teachers in Florida are also required to take the FTCE to get their teaching license. Regular license renewal is also required every five years.
Requirements to Become a Substitute Teacher in Florida
- Hold at least a high school diploma. You must have a high school diploma or GED to substitute teach in Florida.
- Complete a criminal history background check. Substitute teachers in Florida are required to pass a criminal history background check.
- Complete the required training. If a substitute teacher doesn’t have any classroom teaching experience, the school district where they will substitute teach will train them on classroom management skills and teaching strategies.
Average Teacher Salary in Florida: Special Education
| Special Education Level | Number Employed in Florida | Average Salary in Florida | Average Salary in the United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | 1,530 | $65,940 | $68,570 |
| Kindergarten and Elementary | 3,720 | $63,720 | $67,180 |
| Middle School | 1,840 | $65,150 | $68,880 |
| High School | 8,400 | $67,760 | $70,530 |
Requirements to Become a Teacher in Florida: Special Education
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. To become a special education teacher in Florida, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in exceptional education from a state-approved teacher preparation institution.
- Pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). Similar to other types of teachers, special education teachers are required to pass the FTCE to be granted a license to teach in Florida.
- Pass an FTCE Subject Area Assessment (SAE). Special education teachers are required to pass this exam in the relevant area of expertise that they want to teach. This can be in Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Hearing Impaired (K-12), Speech-Language Impaired (K-12), or Visually Impaired (K-12).
Is a Teacher’s Salary in Florida Worth My Time and Money?
A full-time teacher’s salary in Florida is worth your time and money if you live in a part of the state where the average yearly income outstrips the cost of living. Because salaries vary depending on location and subject, consider using financial planning tips for teachers to make sure your starting salary meets your financial needs.
When you are looking for a teaching position, check out a few career options before deciding. Look into positions in both private and public schools since they offer different salaries, work environments, and opportunities for advancement.
Teacher Salary in Florida FAQ
Yes, teaching is a good career if you enjoy sharing knowledge with your students. The annual salary range is similar to the national average for all professions, and teaching gives you the opportunity to learn teaching skills that are important for any career path.
It isn’t hard to get a teaching job in Florida because Florida has a well-documented teacher shortage, even before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that there are a lot of employment opportunities available to people who want to pursue a career in education in Florida.
The Florida Education Association is a labor union for teachers and other education professionals. This organization is affiliated with the National Education Association, and its local unions help teachers in Florida with salary negotiations, improving working conditions, and making sure students get a good education from experienced teachers.
Yes, teaching can be a stressful career. The teaching profession has lost around 600,000 teachers nationwide in the past few years, due to the stress they face in the workplace. Teachers are responsible for both the learning and well-being of their students, and these can be challenging and emotionally intense tasks.
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