And how does the average salary of classroom teachers compare to that?
lyby asks: “how does the U.S. average salary for classroom teachers compare to the Department of Education salaries?”
The average U.S. classroom teacher salary is about $71,699 (2023-24), with total compensation around $77,000-$80,000 including benefits. Department of Education employees average $112,000-$113,000 in 2025, with compensation up to $160,000. Federal staff earn 50%-100% more than teachers, reflecting differences in role and funding.
This means Department of Education employees generally earn 50% to over 100% more than the average classroom teacher, depending on whether you compare base salaries or total compensation. The disparity stems from differences in job function and funding: classroom teachers are paid through state and local budgets, often constrained by taxpayer resources, while Department of Education staff receive federal salaries aligned with administrative and policy roles. Specific positions within the Department, like analysts or executives, can skew the average upward compared to the frontline teaching workforce.