For teachers interested in increasing their paycheck, earning a graduate degree or certificate is a widely recognized way of accomplishing that goal. Many states reward educators who have advanced degrees with a salary increase. Classes in either a physical or virtual classroom can up a teacher’s pay scale, but earning an online teaching degree is often more practical and affordable.

Because of the increase in pay for teachers associated with earning a master’s degree, often an annual stipend, the Center on Reinventing Public Education found in a July 2009 report that “the education master’s experienced the highest growth rate of all master’s degrees between 1997 and 2007.” The report notes that “teachers’ compensation arrangements can vary enormously within states” and the level of public investment in master’s degrees also varies among states.

States appear to back up these claims. The New York City Department of Education notes that teaching salaries there are based on prior teaching experience as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees. In May 2008, starting teacher salaries ranged from $45,530 (bachelor’s degree and no prior teaching experience) to $74,796 (master’s degree and 8 years teaching experience).

This salary gap is not uncommon. According to an April 2009 report from the think tank, the Education Sector, “the average starting salaries for teachers with bachelor's and master's degrees are only $2,880 apart, but the gap widens as teachers gain experience. It nearly triples in value for teachers with 25 years of experience.”

For a teacher doing a little career planning, earning an additional diploma or taking further coursework online can be a real way to advance your career and get more pay. Opting to take an online course or earn a master’s degree through an online program does not even require leaving the home and, for the price and convenience, can offer monetary rewards down the road.