Agriculture Teacher Salaries
How is the salary schedule of an agriculture teacher different?
The following is a breakdown of California agriculture teacher salary components in 2015. It is important to note that agriculture teachers are typically on 10 month contracts for the school year, therefore earning possible additional stipends for summer month responsibilities. Agriculture teachers are fortunate to enjoy the flexibility of 10 month contracts, coupled with school holidays, in addition to earned vacation time.
Total Average Salary
$72,635
Average Base Salary
$63,470
Average Extended Contract
$9,377
Average FFA Stipend
$2,765
Average Department Head Stipend
$1,826
2015 Total Average Starting Salaries
What can you expect to earn in your first five years teaching agriculture?
The following are averages for first through fifth year California agriculture teachers in 2015. Salaries listed below include FFA stipends, department head stipends and extended contracts. These teachers also earned an additional average of $15,000 in fringe benefits not shown.
$53,393
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
$55,541
$59,915
$63,204
$62,987
What did the highest salaries look like for beginning teachers last year?
The following are the largest paychecks earned for first through fifth year California agriculture teachers in 2015. Salaries listed below include FFA stipends, department head stipends and extended contracts. These teachers also earned an additional average of $15,000 in fringe benefits not reflected in the totals below.
2015 Highest Starting Salaries
$98,774
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
YEAR 5
$105,530
$88,344
$98,000
$89,668
2015 Teacher Total Compensation
$130,000 - $149,999
$120,000 - $129,999
$110,000 - $119,999
$100,000 - $109,999
$90,000 - $99,999
$80,000 - $89,999
$70,000 - $79,999
$60,000 - $69,999
5 Teachers
13 Teachers
23 Teachers
59 Teachers
89 Teachers
120 Teachers
132 Teachers
131 Teachers
$20,000 - $29,999
$30,000 - $39,999
$40,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $59,999
$0 - $19,999
128 Teachers
70 Teachers
15 Teachers
11 Teachers
9 Teachers
Believe it or not...
The highest ag teacher salary in 2015 was $145,280 (21 years).
Did you know...
41% of ag teachers made over $70,000 in 2015?
Come to find out...
The average number of years teaching agriculture in CA is 11.
Now that's dedication!
The teacher with the longest tenure employed in 2015: 44 years!
Salary F.A.Q.'s
What is a base salary?
Agriculture teacher salaries vary throughout the six regions in California, and even district to district. Agriculture teachers earn a 10 month base salary or compensation depending on their level of education, as well as their classroom experience. Additional compensation or stipends supplement the base salary depending on assigned contractual duties of the position. The average base salary for a California agriculture teacher in 2015 was $63,470.
What is an extended contract?
Many agriculture teachers are also paid on extended contracts because of the amount of additional work they put in during the summer months for Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) visits, professional development, fairs, livestock shows, leadership events, etc. The average extended contract for a California agriculture teacher in 2015 was $9,377. 86% of California agriculture teachers had extended contracts in 2015.
What is a stipend?
A stipend is a fixed regular sum paid as a base salary addition. Agriculture teachers may earn stipends for FFA advising, travel, department head responsibiliites, farm management, etc. The average FFA stipend in 2015 was $2,765. 51% of agriculture teachers earned an FFA stipend in 2015.
What is a department head?
Department head responsibilities my vary depending on the agriculture program needs. The department head is typically the representative of the department in all official communications. In 2015 17% of California agriculture teachers earned a department head stipend, averaging $1,825 each.
What benefits do California Agriculture Teachers earn?
Agriculture teachers earn an average of $15,000 in fringe benefits, health (medical, dental, etc.), retirement benefits, vacation time and sick days.
Data courtsey of California Agricultural Education,
Teacher and Program Demographics R2 Query Report 15/16.