What is Your Child’s Coach, Teacher, Support Staff Worth?

As the 2015-16 school year begins, it is an opportune time to assess just where Jefferson County teachers, coaches and support staff rank in compensation with other like professional across the state. The Tennessee Education Association compiled a ranking of salaries for various positions, using data collected from the local school systems.

Jefferson County ranks #92 out of 137 reporting districts in minimum teacher’s salary at $33,690 per year. The medium teacher’s salary in Jefferson County climbs only a little higher in the rankings, coming in #85 and maximum salary ranks #55 at $58,658 for the 2014/2015 school year. Certified substitute teachers in Jefferson County are #20 of 126 reporting with a daily pay rate of $75. However the lowest certified substitute pay across all reporting districts was $50.

Of course, when students return to the classroom they also return to the playing field. In order of seasons-Head Football ranks #52 at $6,300-Girls Soccer ranks #74 at $1,500-Head Basketball Coach (gender neutral) ranks #53 at $6,000-Wrestling ranks #16 at $2,500-Head Baseball ranks #7 at $2,600-Head Softball ranks #74 at $2,600-Track and Field Boys ranks #48 at $2,200 -Track and Field Girls ranks #43 at $2,200-Band Director ranks #94 at $2,000-Cheerleader Coach ranks #79 at $1,500. These numbers are provided by the school district and reflect the maximum that a coach can make in the individual positions.

According to the numbers, support staff in Jefferson County runs the gambit from high to low, with bus drivers (including maintenance and supervisors) ranking #5 in average salary ($27.78), #6 in minimum salary ($27.44) and #14 in maximum ($28.12) and custodians ranking #71 in average salary ($8.80) and #84 in minimum ($7.50). There was a wide gap in Secretary salaries with the average salary ranking #72 ($12.21), the minimum ranking #116 ($7.78) and the maximum ranking #17 ($23.87). Numbers are for hourly wages and information provided did not include any differentiation for duties or years on the job. It is important to note that not every school district responded in each category.