Is it better to be a cop or teacher?

Question

Regarding Salary and Benifits.

Answer 1

I would think the answers vary by region. A cop in rural Arkansas will probably pay less than a cop in NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami...etc. Same thing goes with teaching. A private teacher in the suburbs of Boston, New York, Chicago, LA will probably make much more than a public teacher in New Orleans. Additionally, think of job mobility. Teacher's get tenured, and cops can become heads of divisions. But...most teacher's lives aren't threatened (Yes, I know, debatable), but the nature of a cop's job is to put his life on the line. Each area of variation has its pros and cons which are subjective to the person pursuing these careers.

Answer 2

With both....salary and benefits can vary widely between districts and municipalities.

Cops might make more to start, but most teachers are in good unions and catch up over time.   Teachers also have GREAT working hours with summers off.

I would say that these are very different professions, and being happy at work is more important than which one makes a little more money.

Answer 3

I make a great salary and have terrific benefits as a teacher...It depends on what interests you most and where you're working.  Also, there is opportunity for growth.  My district will pay for you to further your education in order for you to earn more money on the salary schedule...

Answer 4

My father is a police officer, and my mother is a teacher (as am I).

While my mother has not been teaching as long as my father has been in law enforcement, she does not make nearly as much as he does. He makes quite a bit.

Think about this--

My father has tested and been promoted a few times. There is room for growth and promotion as a police officer. He has also been shot before when I was in elementary school. The job is dangerous. Is that a risk you are willing to take? Although there are many departments you can work in (DARE, SAFE, traffic, homicide, etc.), it is a risky job.

My mother was teaching college-level courses and decided to move down to high school. She now makes about as much as I do as an eight-year teacher. She will not be promoted or have the chance to advance, BUT she loves her job and wouldn't change it for the world. There is little risk in this job and not much room for advancement, but she is happy and can't imagine herself doing anything else.

As a teacher, I am very happy. I know that there are pay raises each year, but they aren't much. If I want to advance, I MUST continue with my education.

My father has excellent benefits. My mother's are not as excellent, but are still great. My health benefits (as a teacher) have been great for my kids and me. I have no complaints.

Both professions are callings. Which is yours?

**A police officer does not have power over the law. A police officer enforces the law. Sorry, Mayi, but there is a difference. Also, when there are crimes that need to be solved, yes, police officers do need to "burn" their brains.

Answer 5

A teacher spends "less hours of work" but believe me that, at home the teacher has to continue working with school stuff and not being paid. A teacher has to complete a bachelor's degree, a teaching certificate and certain examinations to officially become a teacher.

Even when a cop risks his/her life, at least he didn't have to burn his brain that much, wins way much more money, and once the labor hours are over, no work to do at home. And at least, he counts with certain materials to defend himself, but a teacher risks his/her life daily, with ALL types of students and situations and NO DEFENSIVE ARTICLES allowed.

I must add, that even when both professions are quite prestigious and that at a certain point they are in control; a teacher has power just in the classroom, but the cop has power over the law, over society.

Answer 6

A cop. However, if we had more stellar teachers, we might need fewer cops. And if we had more stellar parents, we wouldn't need any cops.

Teachers have the ability to drastically improve their pay with extra education as well as time. It's very tough, however, to teach full time while working on your masters/PhD.

Yeah, Mayi's answer was pretty bad on a number of levels.

Answer 7

Regarding salary and benefits, it definitely depends on where you work or what school or department you work for. The most important thing is whether you enjoy your job. Both jobs can be very difficult and both can be very rewarding. Most police officers can usually make more money than teachers with overtime, etc. Check out http://www.peaceofficerjobs.com for excellent information about law enforcement jobs.

Answer 8

I don't know- both are dangerous!!!

Look into salary averages across states with both jobs. At least you get a summer break with teaching...

Answer 9

If salary and benefits are important to you, be a cop.  We need teachers who teach for the kids without a real regard for how much they are paid.

Most of the benefits of teaching aren't monetary.