5. Most teachers enjoy their work because it makes a difference in the lives of others; for many, the income is a secondary consideration. However, that doesn’t mean that it should be overlooked. Salaries vary widely between states and regions. Teachers can make different salaries depending upon whether they work in a private or public school, whether they teach summer school, what subject they teach, what kind of experience they have, the level they teach at, and the degree they hold.