American teachers struggle to make ends meet.

GD&TĐ - Many teachers in the US have to take on one or two additional jobs outside of teaching hours to cover their living expenses.

This situation highlights the increasing financial pressure on the education sector, even though the teaching profession continues to play a crucial role in society.

Ashley, a fifth-grade teacher in Washington State, USA, says she loves teaching but has to find extra work to make ends meet. During the school year, Ashley works at a beauty salon in the evenings, and in the winter, she works part-time on a farm. Her husband, Jake, is also a public school teacher and takes on additional house painting jobs to supplement their income.

Ashley's story is not uncommon. According to a Gallup poll conducted in conjunction with the Bipartisan Policy Center and the Walton Family Foundation, approximately 71% of public school teachers in the U.S. reported having at least one additional job. Notably, 85% of those took on the additional work during the school year, rather than just during summer or seasonal breaks.

Part-time jobs are becoming increasingly diverse and are not limited to the education sector, such as tutoring. Surveys show that nearly one-third of teachers have a second job unrelated to teaching, including driving for Uber, delivering food, working as a bartender, or serving at restaurants.

The main reason for this trend is the pressure of rising living costs. The prices of food, insurance, electricity, water, and many other essential expenses have increased sharply in recent years, making it difficult for many middle-income households.

With a salary of around $62,000 per year, Ashley says she has to work extra to avoid financial ruin. The income from her side jobs helps her save for bigger goals like traveling or paying off her mortgage.

However, not all teachers are able to save money. According to a Gallup survey, only 28% of teachers said they felt comfortable with their family income. Meanwhile, 52% said they could barely make ends meet, and 21% admitted to struggling financially.

The income gap between teachers and those with comparable educational qualifications in other fields is also widening. According to 2024 data from the Center for Economic Policy Research and the Economic Policy Institute, public school teachers earn approximately 27% less than those with similar qualifications in other fields. This is the largest disparity since the 1970s. For male teachers, the income gap is even higher, reaching 36%.

Nevertheless, the teaching profession still has certain advantages. Many teachers enjoy a stable pension for life after retirement. In addition, teachers usually have relatively good health insurance packages and a permanent employment system that makes them less likely to be laid off suddenly.

However, experts argue that these benefits are gradually diminishing. Budget cuts in many states and localities are shrinking some benefits and raising questions about the long-term sustainability of pension programs.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings stated: “Teachers taking on extra work can directly impact the quality of education. An exhausted teacher will find it difficult to fully focus on their students. If they leave the profession, the education system and the public will both suffer.”

According to CNN Business

Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/giao-vien-my-chat-vat-muu-sinh-post769327.html