Teacher salary and national achievement: A cross-national analysis of 30 countries

Using national teacher salary data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and student achievement data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), this study compared secondary school teacher salary in 30 countries and examined the relationship between average teacher salary and national achievement in mathematics and science. Although new teachers in the U.S. are paid higher than the international average, U.S. investment to the salary of experienced teachers was lower than the international average. The study also found that the countries with higher average salary for experienced teachers are more likely to have higher national achievement. However, the national average salary for new teachers was not significantly associated with national achievement level.

► New teachers’ average salary in the U.S. is higher than the international average. ► Experienced U.S. teachers’ salary is about the same as the international average. ► Higher salary for new teachers is not associated with national achievement. ► Countries with higher salary for experienced teachers have higher achievement.