Your numbers are completely off. The median salary for 10 months of work per year for high school teachers in 2020 was $62,870 and $60,970 for kindergarten and

Your numbers are completely off. The median salary for 10 months of work per year for high school teachers in 2020 was $62,870 and $60,970 for kindergarten and elementary teachers (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home....). But this is a large underestimate of the total compensation because it doesn't take into account generous benefits and pensions. In Illinois, for example, 39% of all education spending goes to pensions: https://madisonrecord.com/stories/608526182-nearly-40-cents-of-every-education-dollar-in-illinois-goes-to-pensions https://madisonrecord.com/stories/608526182-nearly-40-cents-.... There is also a very high job stability. I don't mind the best teachers being paid more but we have to be honest with our numbers first.