The small district's median teacher salary is nearly $122,000 — more than $40,000 above the median salary statewide.
An exterior photo of Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, where teachers have the highest median pay in the state, according to the latest statistics.The answer is tied to several factors, including Northern Valley Regional’s unusual structure, a unique special education program and a high retention rate for teachers.
The median salary for Northern Valley Regional teachers was $121,839 in the 2024-25 school year, according to the latest available data. That salary easily topped theWhy does Northern Valley Regional have such eye-popping salaries? The high numbers can be largely traced back to the amount of experience the district’s teachers have and their work schedules. The high school-only district has two high schools serving eight tiny Bergen County towns. There are more than 2,100 students and 236 classroom teachers. The average level of experience for teachers in Northern Valley Regional is 16.2 years, versus 12 years for the statewide average. Teachers with more experience tend to earn higher paychecks, so a high number of teachers with a lot of years in the classroom helps drive up the district’s median pay. “This retention speaks volumes about the community they work in. Northern Valley offers an amazing support network for some of the hardest-working employees in the state, backed by a highly supportive Board of Education,” James Santana, the district’s superintendent, said. Northern Valley Regional teachers also spend more time teaching every year than typical teachers. Some teachers in the district work a full 12 months instead of the more typical 10 months because they teach students with disabilities who attend year-round classes. Those teachers receive additional pay, which helps drive up the district’s median salary, Santana said., an educational program for students with autism that has an extended-year program. Staff who work the extended school year are paid an additional 10% on top of their base salaries. The district’s average salary for teachers who work 10 months of the year is closer to $107,000, Santana said. However, that salary for teachers would still make the district the fifth highest-paid in the state. Salaries for Northern Valley Regional teachers with bachelor’s degrees range from $56,518 to $93,186, depending on experience level and if the teacher has any post-degree credits, a district webpage says.in “steps” outlined in the district’s teacher contracts that are negotiated by the teachers union, Santana said. The district has 17 steps. Unlike in other districts, there are no salary “bubbles,” in which teachers can get large raises when they jump from one step to another. Instead, all raises are spread evenly among the steps, the district said. Teachers can also earn additional pay for coaching or running clubs. Coaches earn an additional $4,380 to $13,500 a year, while clubs salaries range from $553 to $8,406. “First and foremost, these numbers reflect our investment in a student population with diverse needs, high achievement, and motivation. We believe that supporting elite educators is the best way to support our students,” Santana said.Katie Kausch is a data reporter for NJ Advance Media, covering a range of topics including education, politics and health. Before becoming a data reporter, Katie was a breaking news reporter with a focus on the...
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