Colorado Teacher Salaries
Learn everything you need to know about Colorado teacher salaries, benefits and career opportunities. Read on, or download the full salary guide!
Get the Salary Guide
Download the Colorado Teacher Salary & Benefits Guide! Inside, you’ll find:
- Sample teacher salaries across Colorado, so you can see specific numbers from your region
- Financial aid opportunities—such as loan forgiveness and home buying programs for teachers
- Info on:
- Career and salary growth opportunities for teachers
- Teacher job security and tenure
- And more!
How much do teachers make in Colorado?
Salaries vary by school district, but in general, your salary will be determined by your experience, credentials and location in the state.
Your starting salary, or entry level salary, is how much you'll make in your first year right after you finish your teaching program. You'll earn a higher starting salary with a master's degree than you will with a bachelor's. CO's average teacher starting salary is $39,000.
Average salary refers to what all teachers make, on average. That includes people who have been in the job for years. Colorado’s average teacher salary is $63,224. (1)
Want more salary info? Our free Salary Guide has salaries from districts all over Colorado—so you can see specific numbers from your region!
Increase Your Teacher Salary
You’ve got options to earn even more as a teacher! Here are a few ways you can boost your pay:
- Teach in a high-need subject or geographic area. You may earn more if you teach a shortage-area subject, like math or special education, or if you teach in a rural school.
- Earn an advanced credential. You’ll earn higher pay with a master’s degree, or if you get your National Board Certification. In Colorado, National Board Certified teachers can earn up to $4,800 more per year! (2)
- Lead an extracurricular. Most districts offer stipends if you lead certain extracurriculars, such as yearbook, choir or athletics. This extra pay can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars!
- Get credit for prior experience. Have work experience relevant to your teaching subject? You could earn more! Talk to your school district hiring manager about your eligibility.
There are a number of ways you can increase your teaching salary, including advanced education, leading extracurriculars and pursuing advanced certifications.
Benefits for CO Teachers
Can I have a comfortable life as a teacher?
As you compare jobs and salaries around Colorado, it’s good to factor in the cost of living in your region. You might earn a lower total amount as a rural teacher than you would in a large city—but remember, your cost of living may be lower, too.
Extra financial support, like loan forgiveness and housing assistance programs, can help you build a comfortable life as a teacher.
And CO teacher salaries are comparable to many other fields that require a bachelor's or master's degree! Plus, teachers usually work about 180–190 days each year—compared to 260 work days a year in most other fields. (4)
What’s next
Teacher Career Paths | TEACH Colorado
From teacher support to district leadership to education policy, there’s no one map for your education career.
Read MoreCareer Coaching in Colorado
Talk to an expert about how to become a licensed teacher in Colorado. Get free advice on what to teach and how to choose and apply to the right program.
Read MoreReferences
- Educator Pay Data 2024. National Education Association. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank
- Stipends for National Board Certified Educators. Colorado General Assembly. 2023 Regular Session. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1207
- Colorado Public Employee Retirement Association. https://copera.org/
- 2023 National Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Wages/find-salary.aspx
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