This report compares U.S. public and private school teachers and librarians, highlighting key differences in pay, certification, work conditions, and job satisfaction. Public educators earn more and have stronger protections, while private educators often enjoy more autonomy and supportive environments.

Salaries

When comparing compensation between public and private school educators, the disparity is immediately clear. Public school teachers, on average, earn significantly more than their private school counterparts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), the average salary for public elementary school teachers was $68,940, compared to $50,250 in private schools. Public secondary teachers earned $71,300, while their private counterparts earned $58,950 (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS], 2021). For school librarians, the average public school salary was $67,610 versus $54,130 in private institutions (BLS, 2021).

More recent 2024–2025 data from Indeed show that public elementary teachers’ median salary is approximately $61,760, whereas private school teachers earn closer to $47,480, placing private salaries at roughly 75–80% of public compensation (Indeed, 2025). This pay gap is consistent across most states, though exact numbers vary depending on local funding and collective bargaining agreements. Some private schools, particularly elite preparatory institutions, offer competitive pay, but they remain the exception.

In addition to base salary, public school teachers typically have better access to health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid leave. Many public districts offer defined-benefit pension plans, which provide income security after retirement. Private schools may offer some benefits, but they tend to be less generous or more reliant on employee contributions. In some cases, smaller private schools offer minimal benefits, relying instead on intangibles like work environment and mission alignment to attract staff.

Qualifications and Certification Requirements

Public school teachers must meet strict certification and licensure standards set by their state. These usually require a bachelor’s degree, completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, and passing scores on standardized licensure exams (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2023). Public school librarians similarly need a master’s degree in library science and state certification for school library media positions (American Association of School Librarians [AASL], 2022).

In contrast, private schools often have much more flexibility. Many do not require state certification and may hire teachers with only a bachelor’s degree or relevant professional experience (Council for American Private Education [CAPE], 2023). Although top-tier private institutions may still prefer or require certified teachers and degreed librarians, this is not a legal mandate. This flexibility allows private schools to prioritize subject matter expertise or alignment with school values over formal credentials (CAPE, 2023).

In practice, this means that public schools generally have a more standardized and regulated approach to hiring, which can ensure a baseline level of teacher preparation. Private schools may benefit from greater flexibility but also face variability in teacher quality and consistency. For librarians, public school systems are more likely to require a Master of Library Science (MLS) and endorsements in school media, whereas private school librarians may be hired with a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience.

Work Environment and Conditions

The day-to-day work environment can vary dramatically between public and private schools. Public school teachers are often subject to state curriculum mandates, standardized testing, and administrative oversight. These layers of regulation can result in less autonomy and more paperwork (NCES, 2023). Class sizes in public schools also tend to be larger, particularly in underfunded districts.

On the other hand, private school teachers often enjoy greater freedom over curriculum and classroom management. A national NCES survey found that 53% of private school teachers felt they had control over textbook selection, compared to only 32% of public school teachers (NCES, 2023). Additionally, only 12% of private school teachers reported issues with student violence or serious misbehavior, compared to 48% in public schools (NCES, 2023).

Private schools also tend to have a different school culture, often grounded in a specific religious or philosophical tradition. This can foster a tight-knit community and a strong sense of shared values. However, it may also impose additional expectations on staff regarding religious instruction or behavioral norms. In contrast, public schools serve more diverse student populations and are bound by constitutional limits on religious activity.

Librarians experience similar discrepancies. Public school librarians often have better access to district-wide digital resources, interlibrary loans, and staffing support. In contrast, private school librarians may work alone, serve multiple grade levels, and have limited budgets. However, private librarians frequently have more autonomy and a closer relationship with teachers and students due to the smaller school size (AASL, 2022).

Job Satisfaction

Despite earning less, private school teachers generally report higher levels of job satisfaction. According to a recent NCES survey, 62% of private school teachers stated they planned to remain in the profession “as long as they are able,” compared to 44% of public school teachers (NCES, 2023). Private teachers were more likely to say they had the materials and administrative support they needed, with 67% “strongly agreeing” they had all necessary instructional materials, compared to 41% of public school teachers (NCES, 2023).

Public school teachers, while generally more secure in their employment and better compensated, report higher levels of stress. Thirteen percent said teaching “wasn’t worth it” due to burnout and working conditions, versus only 6% of private school teachers (NCES, 2023). This aligns with other studies indicating that autonomy and support are key drivers of teacher morale (Ingersoll, Merrill, & Stuckey, 2018).

Librarian job satisfaction data is more limited, but anecdotal reports and smaller studies suggest similar patterns. Public school librarians often appreciate the stability, resources, and collegial networks available through district systems. Private school librarians, though sometimes working with fewer resources, may find greater creativity and flexibility in programming and collaboration.

Unionization and Labor Protections

One of the starkest differences lies in unionization. Public school teachers are heavily unionized, with approximately 70–80% belonging to professional associations like the National Education Association (NEA) or American Federation of Teachers (AFT). These unions provide collective bargaining, tenure rights, grievance procedures, and strong benefits packages (AFT, 2023).

In contrast, union presence in private schools is minimal. Only about 5% of private school teachers are unionized, and most are employed “at will,” meaning they can be let go at any time without cause (BLS, 2023). Private teachers often sign one-year contracts and lack the protections associated with tenure or collective bargaining. This can result in less job security but also gives schools more hiring and firing flexibility (CAPE, 2023).

Librarians in public schools benefit from these same union protections if they are certified educators. In private schools, librarians usually do not have union representation and may be treated more like administrative staff than faculty.

Access to Resources and Professional Development

Public school teachers and librarians often have access to extensive district-level training and resources. Federal and state funding, particularly under Title I and Title II, supports professional development initiatives aimed at improving teaching effectiveness (U.S. Department of Education, 2023). Public librarians also benefit from professional associations like the AASL, which offer certification programs, digital resources, and advocacy.

Private schools vary widely in this regard. Well-funded elite schools may provide generous PD stipends, cover travel to national conferences, and sponsor graduate-level coursework. However, many smaller or religiously-affiliated private schools offer little to no professional development and expect staff to fund their own training (AASL, 2022; CAPE, 2023).

In terms of materials, public school teachers report more issues with outdated or insufficient supplies, largely due to budget constraints. In contrast, teachers in private schools—especially those with higher tuition—often report better access to technology, books, and manipulatives (NCES, 2023).

Case Examples

Consider two educators in the same metro area: a public high school science teacher in Los Angeles Unified School District earns $84,000 annually with full benefits, union protection, and paid leave. Meanwhile, a private high school science teacher at a Catholic school nearby earns $56,000 with limited health benefits and a one-year renewable contract. The private school teacher has complete control over the curriculum and works in a supportive, close-knit environment. The public school teacher, while better paid and protected, teaches larger classes and navigates extensive administrative requirements.

Similarly, a public school librarian in Texas may be part of a larger team, with access to digital subscriptions and networked catalog systems. A librarian at a small private K–8 school may singlehandedly run all library operations—from teaching information literacy to ordering supplies—without a formal budget or administrative support.

Conclusion

The decision to work in a public or private school comes down to a trade-off between salary and security versus autonomy and culture. Public school educators enjoy better compensation, union protections, and access to resources. However, they often face bureaucratic constraints, standardized testing pressures, and higher job-related stress. Private school educators typically earn less and lack job protections but report greater job satisfaction, flexibility, and positive school climates.

For librarians, the contrasts are similar. Public librarians benefit from district support and formal credentials, while private school librarians have broader, more flexible roles but may lack institutional resources.

Both environments have strengths and challenges, and the right choice ultimately depends on individual educator values, career goals, and professional philosophy.

References

American Association of School Librarians. (2022). AASL standards framework for learners. American Library Association. https://standards.aasl.org

American Federation of Teachers. (2023). State of the teacher workforce 2023. https://www.aft.org/reports/teacher-workforce-2023

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Occupational employment and wage statistics. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/oes

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Union members summary. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/union2.nr0.htm

Council for American Private Education. (2023). Facts and studies about private education. https://www.capenet.org

Indeed. (2025). Teacher salary in the United States. https://www.indeed.com/salaries/Teacher-Salaries

Ingersoll, R., Merrill, L., & Stuckey, D. (2018). The changing face of the teaching force. Consortium for Policy Research in Education. https://www.cpre.org

National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). National teacher and principal survey (NTPS). U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/ntps

U.S. Department of Education. (2023). Title I, Part A program. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta