Teaching in New Jersey
Become a Teacher in NJ

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With average teacher earnings of $64,809,⁽¹⁾ New Jersey boasts the fifth highest teacher salaries in the nation—meaning it's both financially and intellectually rewarding to become a teacher in New Jersey.

Teaching is also a job in demand. Preschool, elementary school, middle school and secondary school teaching jobs in New Jersey are expected to increase by more than 10 percent between 2008 and 2018. And in some high-demand areas, the growth rate is even higher: preschool teaching jobs are predicted to surge by nearly 20 percent.⁽²⁾

Future New Jersey Teachers
This information is good news for anyone who wants to become a teacher in New Jersey. Elementary and secondary school teachers, in particular, have excellent cause for optimism: both professions are listed among the top 20 in terms of average annual job openings, according to the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

To become a teacher in New Jersey, you generally need a bachelor's degree with sufficient preparation in the subject you plan to teach, a completed teacher preparation program, teacher certification and, in some cases, completion of the Praxis exam.⁽³⁾

Current New Jersey Teachers and Administrators
In June 2010, the New Jersey Department of Education awarded $45.3 million in School Improvement Grants to help improve low-performing urban schools. It's clear that New Jersey values education. However, it also values its teachers. Secondary school teachers, for instance, earn an average of $65,420 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). But programs such as the Highly Qualified Teacher Initiative and the Teacher Mentor program can help teachers earn more with additional professional development.

New Jersey Teachers in Demand
If you're interested in becoming a teacher in New Jersey but aren't sure how you can afford it, not to worry—the state and federal Departments of Education have put incentives and grant programs in place for prospective educators. One example is the TEACH Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $4,000 a year for education students who plan to teach in a school that serves low-income children.

Ready to become a teacher in New Jersey? Check out the listings of accredited education programs here on Teacher World.

Sources:
(1) National Education Association;
(2) New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development;
(3) New Jersey Department of Education