Readers Say
A 62-year-old substitute teacher shares her salary, expenses, and how she makes it work.
What is it like to live and/or work in one of the country’s most expensive cities? We asked, and you answered.
Greater Boston’s economy is powered by workers from across industries, pay ranges, and job types: from baristas to software engineers, teachers to chief executives, and everyone in between.
We’re sharing mini profiles of Greater Boston’s workforce, exploring not just how much they make but how they make it work. Interested in sharing how much you make in Greater Boston? Share with us in the form below or e-mail us at [email protected].
Below, see how much this per diem substitute teacher makes in Lexington and Belmont.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Job: Substitute teacher (3 districts)
Income: $10,000 – $12,000 per year
Lives in: Burlington
Works in: Lexington, Belmont
Name: Alice L.
Age: 62
Do you work remote, hybrid, or in-person?
I have to work in-person since I am teaching elementary, middle or high school kids.
My per diem rate runs from $125 to $150 depending on the school district as a sub teacher. I don’t take teacher aide or admin jobs. They pay less. I can be teaching anything from English, to social studies, to AP psychology, to history, to basic science to math.
What drew you to this career/field?
I had taught ESL to adults and professionals abroad and in the Boston area, and I liked it. There was no money in it so I returned to my first love in business. Then post COVID, with my roller coast life, I thought about what I really liked to do (and not). I didn’t want to do a retail job or go back to an office job, so the opportunities to substitute teach in the area came up. So far, it has been a good decision for me. And this way, I can pick and choose what days I want to work and classes I want to sub/teach. It also lets me do lots of volunteer work that I enjoy.
What’s your biggest monthly expense?
Rent. My rent is $3,400 for a two-bedroom, two-bath in Burlington, and we have to pay for all utilities, including water, sewer, trash, heat, and hot water.
Since I am living with and taking care of my mother, and my father passed away almost three years ago, his savings cover the rent and utilities. My mother’s investments and social security take care of most of the living expenses, but we are not eating out every night or anything like that. Don’t spend more than you make (when possible).
Is your salary enough for you to live on?
As a sub teacher paid per diem, there is no regular income and no regular benefits. I am taking care of a relative so most of my living expenses are covered. If I was living alone, as I was before COVID, there is no way I could substitute teach let alone have a 9-to-5 job and take care of relatives.
If I had to live on my own, there is no way I could live on $10K-$12K a year. I would need at least $20K based on my previous living on my own for decades.
So no, my salary is nowhere near enough for me to live on if I had to do it on my own. But such is life now. Incomes and buying power continue to decline while prices skyrocket.
What would need to change for Boston to feel sustainable?
That has many definitions. Regarding housing, obviously more affordable housing but that is not going to be solved by just building more housing. We have to re-educate about NIMBYism; scale back Airbnb units that take living units out of the market; slow investors that come in and buy up many units/houses and treat them as stock instead of housing (buy, hold, flip, leave vacant) because they drive up the cost of housing for everyone.
Also, there needs to be a streamlined permitting, development, and certificate of occupancy process. It takes years to get anything built which drives up the costs for everyone. The T has improved under General Manager Phil Eng, but has so much further to go regarding reliability, cost, timetables, and locations.
What was your last splurge?
A year ago I bought a stainless steel band (ring) with gold inlay. The value of the gold alone has doubled since I bought it.
Tell us: How much do you make?
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