Rebecca Cox, 27, had hoped to enjoy a summer break after completing her first year as a full-time fifth-grade teacher in Kentucky. "It just drained me and wiped me out because I was learning so much and figuring things out as I went," Cox told Business Insider. However, instead of taking a vacation, she's been juggling multiple jobs and attending training sessions while also decorating her classroom.
Cox works evenings as a restaurant hostess, earning $18 an hour, and also takes on nannying responsibilities, caring for a family's children and dogs as needed, including during the school year. Earlier this month, she spent some time working for a family friend's business, where she made $30 an hour organizing and unpacking homes. While this job was short-term, her hostess and nannying gigs are more consistent throughout the summer.
"I feel like I haven't stopped even since school's been out," Cox said. "Yes, it's summer break, but I have not sat down. I keep working." Many young teachers like Cox take on summer jobs. A Pew Research Center analysis found that as of 2015, teachers under 30 were more likely to hold summer jobs than their older colleagues, and teachers with a year or less of experience were the most likely to have non-school second jobs. A recent survey from We Are Teachers showed that around half of the 366 teachers surveyed would be working a second job during the summer, with many in education-related roles like teaching summer school or tutoring.
Despite being among the most educated workers, teachers are generally underpaid. A 2022 Census Bureau analysis noted that teachers earn far less on average than other highly educated workers, and their earnings have declined since 2010. Cox is using the money from her summer jobs for savings and classroom expenses. The extra income is also helpful as she plans her wedding. "Once I figured out that I was getting married and saw how much these things cost, I realized there's no way I could regularly save money and also cover some of the wedding expenses."
Cox wishes teachers didn't have to take on summer jobs. "Even if we're not working per se, many of us spend our time creating new things for incoming students, organizing, preparing curriculum, or attending professional development on our own," she said. Although Cox receives around $1,300 every two weeks over the summer after deductions and taxes, she still needs the extra income for unexpected expenses like car repairs and classroom supplies.
She noted that while the district provides some money for supplies, it often feels insufficient given the number of students she teaches. "I want them to have all the resources they need, so on top of my own expenses, I also take on some classroom expenses," Cox said. Teachers can end up spending thousands on classroom supplies during their careers. Donations can help, but it's often not enough. "We don't ask other professions to do their job without necessary materials," another teacher previously told BI. "Yet many teachers are expected to do just that."
Among her summer jobs, Cox finds nannying to be the most enjoyable. "Yes, it's work, but it's also a bit more fun because I get to take them to do enjoyable activities, like going to the movies," she said. While Cox loves teaching, she finds the low pay challenging. "I realized that this is really what I'll be making every two weeks, and I wouldn't be able to afford to live on my own. My fiancé is also a teacher, so if I were alone, I couldn't pay all my bills."
To earn a livable salary, Cox feels she'll need to get her master's degree. "I plan on doing that next year, but it's frustrating that to make more money, I have to spend more money on my education first."