Before reading further, answer these two questions. How much does the average Clark County School District teacher make in total compensation? And how much does the average teacher make in salary?
Earlier this week, I posed these queries to my wife. For total compensation, she guessed $80,000 and told me, “I’m guessing high.” For just salary, she guessed $65,000.
When I told her the actual numbers, her mouth hung open in shock, although she remained stunningly beautiful.
As of December 2025, the average district teacher made $129,350 in total compensation. The average base salary was $84,768. Teaching is no longer a low-paying job that’s worth it because of the benefits and time off. It’s now a high-paying job that has both those advantages.
Teachers make far more than the parents of many students. In Clark County, the median household income — that’s household, not individual — was around $80,000 in 2024. So two married teachers earning average salaries would have a household income that’s more than double the median household.
It wasn’t always like this. In 2015, the average district teacher received around $75,000 in total compensation, including an average salary of $51,000.
While compensation has soared, test scores haven’t. In the 2015-16 school year, 44.9 percent of third-graders were proficient in math. In the 2024-25 school year, it dropped to 44.6 percent. In reading, third-grade proficiency fell from 46.2 percent to 43.6 percent.
As I’ve noted for years, paying the same people more to do the same thing doesn’t improve student achievement.
Understanding these facts is a precursor to a discussion that could actually improve things. For one, benefits for the average teacher cost more than $45,000. Much of that goes to PERS, which vacuums up money from government employees and local governments throughout the state. I believe most teachers would prefer more of that money now, even if it meant less generous retirement benefits in the future.
The district should also offer a wage premium to experienced educators who agree to teach at low-performing schools. Over the years, the district has experimented with this approach. More should be done to get the best teachers into struggling schools.
Some teachers would likely note that they work more than 40 hours a week during the school year. Undoubtedly true — and thank you for serving your students so well.
But the salary schedule doesn’t favor teachers who prioritize their classrooms. Just the opposite. It largely rewards teachers for being good students. Teachers move up the pay scale by obtaining graduate degrees, which often require student loans. Little wonder many feel strapped financially.
If you’ve made it through one sure-to-be unpopular opinion of mine, I’ll throw this one in for free.
What district trustees make is shocking — shockingly low. They earn $9,000 a year. If you want to attract more experienced folks to the school board, the Legislature should boost the position’s pay. Set it at $150,000 and adjust it for inflation. Yes, the district and its $8 billion budget can afford it.
It’s time to stop repeating plans that have already failed.
Contact Victor Joecks at vjoecks@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4698. Follow
@victorjoecks on X.
