How many other jobs do you know of that pay just barely over $30k per year starting for someone with a masters (with yearly raises around 2-3%)?
I don't have this kind of degree but how about Masters in Fine Arts? I've known some, they're lucky to be employed with such a degree and then there are those Masters in Sociology, History, etc. By the way my pay raises with another type of Masters Degree have averaged around 3% over the last few years while unionized teachers in my town average around 6%. Is this typical, who knows but you asked.