I actually agree with parent's point here, but for a different reason. Many of these teaching positions are in the range where you will be dependent on social

I actually agree with parent's point here, but for a different reason. Many of these teaching positions are in the range where you will be dependent on social security / medicare in order to retire. I consider that dependence effectively poverty in this country. Demographics, budget, and political climate all suggest to me that these two safety nets won't be available in 30 years. When you're working from 18 or 21 onwards and saving, mid 5 figures over your whole life translates into a survivable retirement. However, if you don't start saving for retirement until after graduate school (late 20s) and at that point start off at mid 5 figures with terrible benefits, little upward pressure on your salary, and lots of student loans, you're basically dependent upon the government for any retirement. Especially if you care to reproduce. So, some of these teaching jobs really are poverty wages, given the opportunity cost of graduate school. The poverty comes at 65, but it does come. What these places need to do is pay well and reduce course loads. But many of them cannot afford to do either. (Oh BTW google's shooting you emails every week or two.)