What is the beginning salary of a classroom teacher there? Depending mostly on the parents, it is a tough "gig." One of the toughest. Private sector companies usually have a fixed % raise for everyone also, and merit is a promotion. Teachers don't get promoted. If they can manage to stay 25 or more years it becomes a decent paying job with a good retirement. They have to pay their dues though to get that. Even as it is now, out here teachers are in short supply because no one wants to start at those salaries with housing costs. If anyone thinks teaching is easy, they need to be in front of 30 or more kids at 8:30 AM, and begin the day. Then reality will set in.