Starting Pay for Teachers

Before the next school year begins, Loudoun County needs to hire more than 800 teachers; Prince William County, 900; and Fairfax County, about 1,450. Montgomery County usually hires about 1,000; Prince George's County, about 1,300; and the D.C. school system, about 350. Here are current starting salaries for a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree offered by area school systems and some competitors elsewhere.

Fairfax County -- $42,400

The District -- $42,370

Montgomery County -- $42,176

Arlington County -- $42,040

Prince George's County -- $41,410

Loudoun County -- $40,986

Alexandria -- $40,816

Prince William County -- $40,788

Howard County -- $40,080

Anne Arundel County -- $39,041

New York City -- $44,849

Los Angeles -- $43,054

Gwinnett County, Ga. -- $37,130

Denver -- $34,200

Clark County, Nev. -- $33,073

Charlotte-Mecklenburg, N.C. -- $32,216

SOURCES: Local school districts; National Council on Teacher Quality