Average teacher salary in the US is 58k, which is liveable if you get a summer job, but that also means half the country is worse. Montana (where I live) has an average of 30k, which is essentially destitute, especially with rising housing costs around here.

For a position where we expect people to have a 4 year degree, it’s pretty ridiculous. No one who goes into teaching pays off their student debt before they’re 40, and many don’t ever expect to do it in their lifetime without leaving for a different career.