Teachers salaries in the South (North and South Carolina) don't come close to PA salaries. After about 9 years in the the Carolina's you might be making $40,000 depending on the area. The starting salaries in Western PA are moving more towards $40,000 in many districts, especailly in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties. Salaries in VA and Maryland are compareable to PA, but the cost of living in much higher. When you factor in cost of living, PA teachers are not hurting. PA teachers earn a pension of 2.5 percent for every year of service. You need to be 62 years old or have 35 years to retire without penalty in PA. Work 35 years and you get a pension of 87.5 percenate of your average salary of your last 3 years. So a $70,000 average salary would get you $61,250 non-taxed pension. Your pension will be somewhat less if you leave it to your spouse upon your death.