New Mexico Teaching Salaries

New Mexico Teaching Salaries are hovering near the bottom in average teacher's salaries across the nation. However, there are many other factors that need to be taken into consideration when assessing the real value of present New Mexico teaching salaries and future teaching salaries.

1. Costs of living in New Mexico are low relative to many other states who offer higher teaching salaries.
   
   
2. Healthcare and dental benefits beat out the options most other professions offer.
   
   
3. The future of New Mexico Teaching Salaries looks bright.

Education Secretary Dr. Veronica C. Garcia spoke frankly about future goals for Public Education in New Mexico in a press release given on January 3^rd, 2007. The following are a few issues she addressed that directly affect teaching salaries in New Mexico.

• Increasing teacher quality by improving salaries and increasing accountability via the 3 Tiered Licensure System.

• Increased funding for teacher professional development in reading, math and science summer institutes. New Mexico’s reading first program is one of the top ten in the country and our school improvement framework focuses on improving achievement in reading and mathematics.

• Increased access to technology. Children living in poverty also suffer from the “digital divide”. By increasing access and implementing programs like IDEAL NM and the Lap Top Initiative more children will have access to technology and more access to increased curricular choices and the ability for dual enrollment.

The last issue addressed will affect teachers and their salaries by forcing New Mexico teachers to be trained and adept in providing quality technology education in every subject. All teachers will certainly need to have quality, formal training in technology.

Below are a few snap shots of New Mexico teaching salaries for various school districts. As you can see, you can greatly increase your earning potential as a New Mexico Teacher if you acquire an advanced degree such as a Master's degree or a Doctorate degree.

** Salaries are from the 2006-2007 Roswell Independent School District, Las Cruces Public Schools and Isaac School District #5

When viewing these numbers, keep in consideration such benefits as full dental, long-term disability and quality health insurance. Secondly, these are salaries based on a 182-day or 10-month work year. We encourage you to explore what each school district has to offer you, take into consideration the area in which you wish to live and do the math to see if you will be satisfied. Good luck!

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