As Bay Area teachers talk strike, here's a look at how much they get paid

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - As teachers are on strike in Los Angeles, and other unions in the Bay Area are also taking about holding rallies and sickouts over smaller class sizes and making a "livable, competitive wage," KTVU decided to look at how much teachers earn.

This list was provided by the California Teachers Association and is drawn from numbers pulled by the National Education Association and the Oakland Education Association, as they negotiate a contract with the district. The lowest starting salary is about $46,000 and the highest ending salary is $84,900, according to the union data.

The union also compiled the salaries of management. Superintendent salaries range from $212,000 to $314,000 and high school principal salaries range from $124,000 to $174,000.

While these salaries are accurate, Fremont Unified science teacher Lane Melcic told KTVU that his district does not pay for health benefits; that's something teachers must get on their own. He said his paycheck has $2,000 a month taken out for medical insurance payments. Teachers in other districts, including Dublin and Pleasanton, also pay for their own health benefits.

California ranks among the top states for average teacher salaries but also for cost of living.

Teacher salaries in Alameda County

BEGINNING SALARY

Oakland: $46,500

Alameda: $47,600

Albany: $51,000

Berkeley: $51,000

Livermore: $51,000

Hayward: $61,600

Fremont: $65,000

Pleasanton: $64,000

New Haven (Union City) $71,000