[hotpotamus]

I assume most public teachers total compensation would near $120k/yr when you factor in health insurance and pension benefits, and senior teachers with lots of time in in decent states are probably doing a bit better than that. I don't know how self employment tax works either other than it adds costs too.

[ndriscoll]

I thought teachers in the US mostly have 403b now (which as far as I know works like 401k), but I don't really know. A solo 401k would actually be more attractive if so, but probably not until above 60k gross income. Depending on state, family situation, and tax planning ability, they could also potentially get free or heavily subsidized Obamacare.

The small "class" sizes and much greater autonomy would be big non-tangible benefits though. And of course these arrangements can have more... flexible tax reporting.

[frumper]

The teachers I know in central California have 457 plans and defined pensions.

[ShroudedNight]

I don't know how reliable the data is, but the median total comp for a US based public school teacher is allegedly ~78k:

https://www.salary.com/tools/salary-calculator/public-school...