Highest paying teaching level?

Question

So, I'm going to college next year, and i know i want to be a teacher of some sort.

At the moment, I want to teach High school students, but am considering Elementary school or middle school.

My question is, do all teachers get paid more if they teach High school students or younger Elementary students?

I want to teach either High school Art History, middle school science, or be an Elementary teacher.

Answer 1

Usually a school district will pay the same for HS teachers and elementary.  It's more important where you teach than what level you teach.  If you get certified in a high demand subject like science or math it might be easier for you to get a position in a good-paying school district.

Answer 2

They all get payed differently depending on the certain school district you teach in. In that district, all teachers with the same degree will get payed the same, not mattering on which grade  you choose to teach.

There are 2 things that can boost your salary.

1. Teaching experience. If you have been teaching within that certain school district for a long time now, you will get payed more and more each year. (Its probably not a very large amount of difference)

2. The degree you choose. If you have a doctorate degree in history, and your teaching 1st graders, that probably wouldn't be a good idea. You will probably get payed the same. If you have that degree while teaching high school kids, and teaching AP history (or something) you will definantly see a substantial increase in your salary.  

Answer 3

The other answers should have helped you. As to finding a teaching job, if you want to teach Art History at a high school level, the odds are against it. I doubt if there are 10 openings in the entire USA every year. If you want to teach science, and you have a degree in a science area plus teacher ed, you can find a job in 95% of the districts in the USA. Elementary teaching also has openings, but it's not a high demand area.