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  • 1

    Get the Guide

  • 2

    How much do CO teachers make?

  • 3

    Increase Your Salary

  • 4

    CO Teacher Benefits

  • 5

    Can I have a comfortable life teaching?

Get the Salary Guide

An image of the cover of the TEACH Colorado Salary & Benefits 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!
Download Your Free Salary Guide

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.

A smiling future Colorado teacher. He stands in front of a blue background. Floating around him are dollar symbols.


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

An example chart that says: "Say you're a middle school math teacher in Fort Collins. Your pay could add up like this: $54K (Base starting salary) + 10.1K (Master's degree + 5 years' experience) + 10K (Teaching a shortage area subject) + 2.6K (Yearbook sponsor) = $76,700 Total 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.

Benefits for CO Teachers

In Colorado, teachers receive comprehensive benefits, including insurance, secure retirement plans and vacation time. Get an overview here and full details in our Salary Guide!

Your school district’s health plan will typically cover medical, dental, vision and other insurance for you and your family.

A pension is a little different from a standard 401(k) or other retirement plan. In Colorado, you’ll receive a retirement pension through the Public Employees’ Retirement Association, or PERA. (3)

TEACH Colorado’s Salary Guide has more details about how your retirement funds are calculated.

Vacation days will depend on your district, but in general you can expect: 

  • Spring break
  • December holiday break
  • National holidays off
  • Paid personal & sick days during the school year

As you probably know, teachers also get a long summer break. Teachers use this time to travel, explore professional development, relax or work elsewhere. Some districts offer summer positions for teachers, such as summer school classes or curriculum development jobs.

Want to continue your education or pursue professional development? Many school districts provide funds for tuition reimbursement and professional development (such as conferences or trainings) for teachers. 

Building your skills can increase both your knowledge and your pay. It also helps districts retain top-notch educators—so it’s a win-win for everyone. 

Stepping into a classroom could mean stepping out of debt. Teachers qualify for a number of loan forgiveness opportunities—meaning you won’t have to pay your loans back!

Typically, these programs will cancel your student loans in exchange for a commitment to teach for a certain amount of time. 

Learn more about specific loan forgiveness opportunities in our Salary Guide.

Buying a house is expensive, but there are resources to help teachers find a home in the community where they teach.

Programs like Landed and Good Neighbor Next Door can support you on the path to homeownership. Our Salary Guide has more details about programs for teachers!

You can get even more financial assistance when you commit to teaching in a rural district for a certain amount of time. 

Rural teachers can qualify for special stipends, loan forgiveness opportunities, tuition support and more! Learn more in our Salary Guide.

Can I have a comfortable life as a teacher?

A bar graph showing average Colorado compared to other comparable professions.

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 More

Career 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 More

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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 Your Free Teacher Salary Breakdown
Image of downloadable salary guide

There are a number of ways you can increase your teaching salary, including advanced education, leading extracurriculars and pursuing advanced certifications.

References

  1. Educator Pay Data 2024. National Education Association. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank 
  2. Stipends for National Board Certified Educators. Colorado General Assembly. 2023 Regular Session. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1207 
  3. Colorado Public Employee Retirement Association. https://copera.org/ 
  4. 2023 National Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Wages/find-salary.aspx