[xsrdx]

A manipulated statistic, $56/hr most likely "part time" where 3-4 months of the year are zeroed out.

I don't know of many public school teachers making $116k annually, which is $56/hr full time.

Figured against 8 months, that equates to about $78k, still very high for a nationwide average.

Salary.com shows mid career teachers at about $48k annual locally.

[Carry_Okie]

A manipulated statistic, $56/hr most likely "part time" where 3-4 months of the year are zeroed out.

No, it's not. They have every opportunity to go do some other work during that three month period.

[Vigilanteman]

FWIW, average public school teacher salary in our district in SW Pennsylvania is $58K per year for 9 months work. We're a fairly average suburban school district in this region. The average income around here is also fairly close to the national average-- most of us are, indeed, paying public school teachers more for 9 months of work than we earn in 12.

$58K per year for 9 months work does, indeed convert to an annualized salary of $77.3K or almost exactly what you calculated.

I'm giving teachers the benefit of the doubt here. Even though the shorter work weeks, longer school vacations during the year and other perks does, indeed, translate to closer to eight months of work, better teachers put in time off the clock equivalent to at least one extra month. By no means all of them, of course, but a significant number.

Bottom line is while what Rush is saying isn't popular, it is true.

[arrogantsob]

The hrs in the school are what produces the $56/hr. My late wife spent another 2-3 each night and probably another 6-8 on the weekends.

Rush does not do a good job on statistics when he is on a jihad against the unions. We love him anyway.

What is pretty indisputable though his the superior health care that is provided teachers. It is better than any other public or private employees.

[MediaMole]

Look at Wisconsin, there are many teachers earning over $100k and the average compensation is in the $70k range. Also, this is total compensation, figuring in the wages along with pension and insurance. Until the recent reforms, teachers statewide paid nothing out of pocket for their health insurance or pensions.

Here's an example at Nicolet High School, one of the best paying in Wisconsin.

I'm leaving off the full names, but it is in a searchable database here.

Salary for a teacher named Christopher is $78,591, with benefits worth $34,980 for total compensation of $113,571.

A physical education teacher in the Elmbrook district named Mark has salary of $64,555 and benefits worth $30,595 for a total compensation of $95,150.

An elementary school teacher named Rebecca in the Waukesha School district is paid $57,006 in salary and $32,553 benefits for a total of $89,559.