Florida teachers with a master’s degree earn, on average, $30,000 more than those with a bachelor’s degree. This is according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which reports that the median hourly wage for Florida teachers with a master’s degree is $23.88 an hour, compared to $21.12 for those with just a bachelor’s degree.
In addition to higher pay, teachers with a master’s degree also tend to be more likely to find work in their field of specialization and are more likely to be promoted into leadership positions within schools or districts.
Florida Teacher Salary With Masters Degree
The Florida Teaching and Certification Resource
Florida Alternative Teacher Certification
Teaching Schools in FL
Teaching Reciprocity Guide
There are several pathways to obtain a teaching certificate in Florida. All Florida teachers are required to hold educator certification, which requires meeting prerequisites such as passing basic knowledge examinations and completing a formal teacher preparation program. The Florida Department of Education oversees the teaching certification process, which is outlined below for those looking to learn how to become a teacher in Florida.
How to Become a Teacher in Florida
Public school teachers in Florida are required to obtain teacher certification before leading a classroom. In order to be eligible for certification, the Sunshine State requires all teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree and complete a state-approved teacher education program. Furthermore, candidates must complete the content examinations appropriate to the subject and grade level to be taught.
In order to receive a Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate, candidates must first complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. In Florida approved preparation programs are known as Educator Preparation Institutes (EPIs). You can view a list of approved teacher training programs through the Florida Department of Education website. If you have a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program, you can also read more about different pathways to teaching licensure on our guide to alternative teacher certification in Florida.
The next step is to complete the required Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). Those who pass all three sections of the exam will qualify for a Florida Professional Certificate.
If the above requirements have not been met, but applicants have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in an endorsed subject area or a teacher preparation program outside of the state of Florida, candidates may receive a Temporary Certificate and begin to teach in Florida schools while simultaneously pursuing the remaining qualifications of a Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate. A Temporary Certificate is valid for three years and is non-renewable.
If applicants want to apply for Florida teacher certification with an out-of-state teaching credential, they may be able to use an interstate reciprocity program to become certified in Florida. For more details, contact the Florida Department of Education.
Quick Guide
I want to be a teacher in Florida, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about Florida’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
I am already certified and want to teach in another state: Learn about Teacher Certification Reciprocity.
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Grand Canyon University
Featured Program(s): Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education, Bachelor of Science in Business for Secondary Education, M.Ed. in Educational Administration, M.Ed. in Elementary Education – All lead to an intitial teacher licensure
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Walden University
Featured Program(s): BS in Elementary Education, MS in Education (Accelerated) – Teacher Leadership, Doctor of Education (EdD) – Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
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Liberty University
Featured Program(s): Bachelor of Education in Special Education, Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Education in Middle Education, Master of Education in Early Childhood Education – All lead to an intitial teacher licensure
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Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in Florida
Projected Job Growth
13.5%
Growth in Teaching Jobs in FL through 20262
There are many options when it comes to quality teacher education programs in Florida. Candidates should choose a school that is officially accredited by a recognized organization. There are six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the US Department of Education. Florida colleges and universities are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
In addition, if located in the state of Florida, the certification program chosen should be an approved Educator Preparation Institute (EPI). Online teaching certification schools that may be headquartered out-of-state should be accredited by one of the aforementioned regional accrediting bodies. If an applicant can not show that they have studied at a regionally accredited institution, they will not be eligible for Florida educator certification. You can compare key metrics for these state-approved teacher preparation programs by using the sortable table on our Florida schools page.
Additionally, Florida recognizes another accreditation in addition to the regional accreditation, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Although CAEP accreditation is not required, it is a distinguished sign of a quality teaching curriculum and most schools apply for the accreditation. It’s important to note that while the CAEP accreditation is recognized by the state of Florida, it does not in itself replace the mandatory regional accreditation which leads to Florida educator certification.
Florida Teacher Education Requirements
Florida State SealAs part of the state’s teacher preparation requirements, Florida candidates for teaching certification must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. In some cases, specified coursework requirements can be waived if the applicant can show passing scores on the Florida Subject Area Subject Examination or a valid American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) certificate. For those who hold bachelor’s degrees in a subject other than education, completion of the Florida Professional Development Certification Program and a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test may also be sufficient to obtain teaching certification.
Florida Teacher Testing Requirements
All teaching candidates in Florida are required to pass basic teaching knowledge and content area examinations. Florida testing requirements differ based on the type of certificate the applicant is seeking. Within the two certificate pathways, there are two basic exams and an additional Professional Certificate.
For a Temporary Educator’s Certificate, applicants must:
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree
Obtain a position within a Florida school
Submit fingerprints for a background check
Prove content knowledge through degree and course requirements and pass the appropriate subject area examination
For a Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate, applicants must:
Hold at least a bachelor’s degree
Prove content knowledge through degree and course requirements and pass the appropriate subject area examination
Submit fingerprints for a background check
Prove mastery of general knowledge through the Florida General Knowledge Test, complete two semesters of full-time college teaching experience, or meet the score requirements on the GRE revised General Test
Prove mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence, which can be done by completing an approved teacher preparation program or other approved professional training program, such as the Professional Development Certification Program
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Additional Florida Teacher Certification Requirements
Florida teaching applicants must clear a state and federal background check. The Florida Professional Certificate will only be issued once the applicant’s fingerprints have been cleared.
Florida Teachers Licensing Application Process
To be considered for Florida teacher licensing all requirements stipulated by the Florida Department of Education must be met. To have an application for a teaching certificate reviewed, candidates must:
Possess at least bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
Demonstrate completion of an approved teacher training program;
Post passing scores on the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations in the appropriate area(s) (waived if the candidate is seeking a temporary certificate); and
Pass a background check processed by the employing school system.
Completed applications may be completed online or be sent to:
Florida Department of Education
Bureau of Educator Certification
Room 201, Turlington Building
325 West Gaines St
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Visit the Florida Department of Education for more details on Florida teacher certification.
Florida Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs
There were a reported 4,336 public schools in Florida during the 2016-2017 school year, with an estimated student enrollment of over 2.8 million.3 With approximately 186,339 public school teachers, this gave Florida a student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1.3
Through 2026, it is predicted that there will be 6,330 average annual openings for elementary school teachers in Florida, 2,760 average annual openings for middle school teachers, and 3,740 average annual openings for secondary school teachers.3 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in Florida, the average annual salary for elementary school teachers is $50,070, for middle school teachers $53,140, and for secondary school teachers $54,120.4 The Florida Education Association, the largest active teacher’s union in Florida, provides further information on news and issues impacting the state education system.
Type Number Employed Average Annual Salary
Preschool Teachers 25,940 $27,990
Preschool Teachers, Special Education 1,230 $50,120
Kindergarten Teachers 10,680 $50,400
Elementary School Teachers 75,750 $50,070
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 5,020 $60,720
Middle School Teachers 30,110 $53,140
Middle School Teachers, Special Education 2,490 $55,050
Secondary School Teachers 47,960 $54,120
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education 4,660 $55,080
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education 5,960 $52,800
