Is there a Link between Teacher Salary and Educational Achievement? An Analysis in OECD Countries

Abstract

This paper uses data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and employs multiple regression models to investigate the relationship between teacher salary and educational achievement in mathematics and science across 30 countries. After controlling for alternative wage opportunities and two macroeconomic factors (GDP per capita and educational expenditure as percentage of GDP), the results reveal no significant relationship between teacher salary and educational achievement in mathematics and science. These findings imply the need to look beyond a single policy, such as higher salaries, in favor of policy strategies that address working conditions and other challenges facing new teachers.