Teachers not as well paid as many suppose

The editorial comment that teaching is a “relatively well-paid job” (Irish Examiner, May 25) needs a little more analysis.

True, teachers in general, earn more than workers in many unskilled jobs but this is hardly a fair comparison. One must remember that teaching in Ireland is a graduate profession and that at second-level, not one, but two, university qualifications are needed as a minimum entry requirement.

Studies show that on average Irish teachers earn less than other Irish workers with similar education and experience. The OECD Education at a Glance study published in late 2011 concluded that teachers in Ireland have an income of just 88% of workers with similar education levels. The gap is even wider when one considers that this study did not take into account the public sector levy (-7.5%), a pay cut (-7%) and changes for new entrants (-14%).