Oregon Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Oregon teacher salary figures vary by grade level, with elementary teachers earning a median annual salary of $77,130 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and high school teachers earning $79,570. Beyond pay, Oregon teachers get access to the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) and comprehensive health coverage through the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB).
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Salary is rarely the first thing an Oregon teacher brings up when asked what makes the job workable. Benefits are. Between a two-part state retirement plan and health coverage through one of the largest public benefit boards in the state, Oregon backs its educators with more than a paycheck. Here’s what the pay and the perks actually look like.
Oregon Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
Oregon teacher salary levels vary by grade band. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary school teachers earn more than the state’s kindergarten teachers, and the gap widens further at the secondary level.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | Job Growth (2024–2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $68,580 | -0.8% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $77,130 | -1.5% |
| Middle School Teachers | $78,350 | -1.4% |
| High School Teachers | $79,570 | -0.9% |
According to the Oregon Employment Department, the state’s job growth projections run slightly negative across all four grade bands between 2024 and 2034, a trend tied to enrollment patterns rather than the pay itself. That doesn’t mean fewer openings. Turnover and retirements continue to create job openings each year, although the number varies by district and subject area, and the underlying wage data holds up well against the national median of $63,970 for elementary teachers and $72,040 for high school teachers over the same period.
Learn more about becoming a teacher in Oregon. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in Oregon. Career-changers weighing whether the pay justifies a move into teaching can also look at alternative teaching certification in Oregon, which lets candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree start teaching sooner.
Teacher Retirement Benefits in Oregon
Most newly eligible Oregon public school employees participate in OPSRP through Oregon PERS, subject to PERS eligibility rules. The plan has two parts: a traditional pension and an individual investment account, and together they’re designed to replace a meaningful share of your working salary once you retire.
Pension Program
Under the pension side of OPSRP, your school district contributes a percentage of your salary to a fund that pays out a lifetime monthly annuity at retirement. The contribution rate is set by the district and can change from year to year.
Full monthly benefits become available once you reach normal retirement age under the plan. Two paths qualify:
- Age 65, with any amount of service
- Age 58, with 30 years of service
Oregon calculates the estimated pension using years of service credit and final average salary. The formula multiplies your final average salary by your years of service credit by a 1.5% factor. A teacher retiring with a $50,000 final average salary and 25 years of service would land around $1,562.50 a month under that formula.
Individual Account Program (IAP)
The second half of OPSRP is a personal investment account. Teachers contribute an additional 6% of salary to the Individual Account Program on top of the pension contribution, and that account earns interest annually. The value of the IAP depends on contributions, investment returns, and withdrawal choices, and it should not be expected to replace a fixed percentage of salary.
For current contribution rates, interest crediting, and benefit estimates, contact the Public Employees Retirement System directly, since these figures are adjusted periodically.
Health Insurance and Other Benefits for Oregon Teachers
Many Oregon public school teachers receive health benefits through the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB), though eligibility depends on the employer and bargaining unit. Where PEBB coverage applies, teachers can choose among several medical insurance plans aimed at keeping core health costs affordable.
Medical Coverage
PEBB plans are built to lower out-of-pocket costs for services teachers use regularly, including:
- Primary care visits
- Chronic condition management
- Specialty care
- Maternity care
- Lab work and X-rays
Copays and coinsurance percentages depend on which plan you choose, and premiums can vary by county, so check with your school district for the exact numbers where you’ll be teaching.
Dental and Other Benefits
PEBB members can also enroll in dental coverage, with most plans including basic oral exams, preventive care, and X-rays. Beyond medical and dental, PEBB offers life and disability insurance as additional coverage options.
For current plan options and premiums, contact the Public Employees Benefit Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median teacher salary in Oregon?
Median annual wages range from $68,580 for kindergarten teachers to $79,570 for high school teachers, according to May 2025 BLS data. Elementary and middle school teachers fall in between, at $77,130 and $78,350 respectively.
How does Oregon teacher pay compare to the national average?
Oregon’s median wages run ahead of the national figures for the same roles. The national median for elementary teachers is $63,970 and for high school teachers is $72,040, both below what Oregon teachers earn at the median.
What retirement benefits do Oregon teachers get?
Most newly eligible Oregon public school employees participate in OPSRP through Oregon PERS, subject to PERS eligibility rules. OPSRP combines a district-funded pension with an Individual Account Program (IAP) that teachers contribute 6% of salary toward. Full pension benefits are available at age 65 with any service, or age 58 with 30 years of service.
Does Oregon provide health insurance for public school teachers?
Many do. The Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) offers eligible Oregon teachers a choice of medical plans covering primary care, specialty visits, and maternity care, along with optional dental, life, and disability coverage, though eligibility depends on the employer and bargaining unit.
Is teacher employment growing in Oregon?
Oregon’s job growth projections for K-12 teaching roles run slightly negative through 2034, ranging from -0.8% for kindergarten teachers to -1.5% for elementary teachers. Retirements and turnover continue to create job openings each year across grade bands, although the number varies by district and subject area.
- Pay scales with grade level — Oregon’s median annual wages run from $68,580 for kindergarten teachers up to $79,570 for high school teachers, per May 2025 BLS data.
- Retirement is two-part — OPSRP combines a district-funded pension with a personal Individual Account Program, each contributing separately to your eventual retirement income.
- Full pension access has two paths — age 65 with any service, or age 58 with 30 years of service.
- PEBB covers more than medical — dental, life, and disability insurance are also available alongside primary and specialty medical care.
- Job growth is flat to slightly negative — but turnover and retirements continue to create openings across grade bands each year, varying by district and subject area.
If Oregon’s pay and benefits have you looking at certification as the next step, explore accredited teacher preparation programs and licensing requirements for the state.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
