Elementary School Teacher in Quincy, MA

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Elementary School Teachers considering a move to Quincy, MA.

---

The Salary Picture: Where Quincy Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Quincy’s teacher salaries are competitive within the South Shore region, but they require a careful look at the cost of living. The city’s public school system, Quincy Public Schools (QPS), is the primary employer, and salaries are structured on a well-defined step and lane grid based on education and experience.

The median salary for an Elementary School Teacher in Quincy is $65,885/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.68/hour. This sits slightly above the national average of $63,670/year, a common trend in Massachusetts due to our higher cost of living. However, when you factor in local expenses, that premium gets squeezed.

The job market here is stable but slow-growing. There are approximately 508 teaching jobs in the metro area, with a 10-year job growth of 1%. This means openings happen primarily through retirements and relocations, not rapid expansion. You need to be strategic about when you apply.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries in Quincy Public Schools follow a "lane" system (A, B, C, D, etc.) based on credits/degrees and a "step" system based on years of experience.

Experience Level	Typical Lane (Education)	Estimated Annual Salary (Quincy)	Notes
Entry-Level	Lane A (Bachelor's)	$52,000 - $58,000	Starting steps 1-5. Strong benefits package from day one.
Mid-Career	Lane B (Bachelor's + 30+ credits) or Lane C (Master's)	$65,000 - $75,000	Most teachers reach the median here. Master's is highly recommended.
Senior	Lane C/D (Master's + 30+ credits)	$76,000 - $88,000	Typically 15+ years of experience and additional graduate credits.
Expert/Leader	Lane D (Master's + 60+ credits or CAGS)	$89,000 - $98,000+	Often includes roles like Department Head, Mentor, or Curriculum Specialist.

Insider Tip: Quincy's salary schedule is public. I recommend downloading the most recent QPS collective bargaining agreement (CBA) from the Quincy School Committee website. Compare your current credits and experience to the step/lane grid before you apply to negotiate your starting placement accurately.

Comparison to Other MA Cities

Quincy offers a solid middle ground. It’s more affordable than Boston but provides comparable salaries to wealthier suburbs.

City	Median Salary (Est.)	Cost of Living Index	Vibe & Commute
Quincy	$65,885	111.6	Urban-suburban mix, direct MBTA access, diverse student body.
Boston	$70,000+	160+	Highest pay but extreme cost. Commute is brutal unless you live there.
Braintree	~$67,000	125	Similar commute, more residential, slightly higher pay.
Brockton	~$62,000	108	Lower pay, lower cost, longer commute to Boston.
Cambridge	$75,000+	180+	Highest pay, but rent is prohibitive for most teachers.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about the math. With a median salary of $65,885, your monthly take-home pay after taxes (federal, state, FICA, health insurance, and retirement) will be approximately $3,800 - $4,100 per month. This is an estimate, as benefits elections vary.

The biggest variable is rent. The average 1BR rent in Quincy is $2,377/month. The Cost of Living Index is 111.6 (US avg = 100), meaning everything from groceries to utilities is about 12% more expensive than the national average.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Teacher, Median Salary)

Item	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,950	After taxes, retirement (MA State Teachers' Retirement System), and health insurance.
Rent (1BR)	$2,377	Average market rate. Can be lower in some neighborhoods.
Utilities (Electric/Gas/Internet)	$200	Varies by season. Older buildings can be drafty.
Food & Groceries	$400	Quincy has great markets (Stop & Shop, Trader Joe's, local butchers), but prices are MA-high.
Transportation	$100	MBTA monthly pass ($90), plus occasional car if owned.
Misc. (Phone, Personal)	$300	Student loan minimum, entertainment, etc.
Remaining	$573	Savings, emergency fund, or discretionary spending.

Can they afford to buy a home? It's very tight on a single teacher's salary. The median home price in Quincy is over $600,000. With a $573 monthly surplus, qualifying for a mortgage is challenging without a significant down payment or dual income. Most teachers I know in Quincy either rent long-term, live with a partner/family, or bought homes in more affordable towns like Brockton or Randolph and commute in.

Where the Jobs Are: Quincy's Major Employers

While Quincy Public Schools is the giant, other employers also hire educators and support staff.

1. Quincy Public Schools (QPS): The main employer. Hiring peaks from March to July. They have 12 elementary schools (e.g., Snug Harbor, Atherton Hough, Wollaston). Hiring Trend: Steady demand for Special Education (SPED) and ESL teachers. General ed classroom positions are competitive; internal candidates often have an edge.
2. Boston Public Schools (BPS): A major commuter employer. Many Quincy residents work for BPS for the higher salary tiers. The commute via the Red Line is straightforward. Hiring Trend: BPS has chronic shortages, leading to frequent openings, but the environment is more challenging.
3. Archdiocese of Boston (Catholic Schools): St. Mary's and other parish schools in Quincy. Pay is generally lower than public, but class sizes are smaller. Good for teachers seeking a faith-based environment.
4. South Shore YMCA (Quincy Branch): Hires for before/after-school care, summer camps, and early childhood education. Often used as a foot-in-the-door for new teachers building local experience.
5. Private Tutors & Learning Centers: There's demand for private tutoring (e.g., in math, reading, test prep) in affluent neighborhoods like Marina Bay and Germantown. Platforms like Wyzant or local word-of-mouth are key.
6. Early Childhood Centers: Places like the Quincy Community Action Programs (QCAP) Head Start or private daycares (e.g., Bright Horizons) hire ECE teachers. A common entry point for those without a full teaching license yet.
7. State Agencies: The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is in Malden, a reasonable commute. Also, look for roles with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or the Department of Mental Health, which sometimes have educational consultant positions.

Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts has a rigorous licensing process. You cannot teach without a valid license from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Requirements & Costs

1. Bachelor's Degree: From an accredited institution.
2. Teacher Preparation Program: Must be approved by DESE (out-of-state programs may need review).
3. MTELs (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure): You must pass the Communication & Literacy Skills test and the relevant Subject Matter test (e.g., Elementary 1-6). Cost: ~$130 per test.
4. Fingerprinting: Required for state and federal background checks. Done via IdentoGO. Cost: ~$75.
5. Application Fee: Cost: ~$100.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Out-of-State Licensed Teachers: The "Initial" license is often granted based on reciprocity. You have 5 years to complete any MA-specific requirements (like passing the MTELs if not already done). This is the fastest route (2-4 months for paperwork).
• New Graduates / Career Changers: Plan for 12-18 months. This includes completing a Massachusetts-approved teacher preparation program (like at UMass Boston, Bridgewater State, or Salem State), passing the MTELs, and student teaching.
• Emergency License: If you have a bachelor's degree but no teacher prep, you can get an emergency license for hard-to-fill positions (like SPED), which allows you to teach while completing your program. This is common in Quincy.

Best Neighborhoods for Elementary School Teachers

Choosing where to live in Quincy depends on your budget and commute style. All neighborhoods are served by the T (Red Line or bus).

1. North Quincy / Wollaston:

   • Vibe: Dense, urban, incredibly convenient. Tons of apartments, restaurants, and the T is steps away.
   • Commute: 5-10 min to Quincy Center, 20-25 min to South Station.
   • Rent (1BR): $2,100 - $2,400. Very competitive market.
   • Best For: Teachers who want a walkable, vibrant life and an easy commute to Boston.

2. Quincy Center:

   • Vibe: The city's downtown. Mix of historic buildings, new luxury apartments, and government offices. A bit quieter on weekends.
   • Commute: Central hub for buses, 5 min to Red Line. Many QPS schools are nearby.
   • Rent (1BR): $2,300 - $2,600 (newer buildings are pricier).
   • Best For: Those who want to be in the heart of it all and walk/bike to work.

3. Adams Shore / Hough's Neck:

   • Vibe: Residential, quiet, family-oriented, with some water views. More single-family homes and duplexes.
   • Commute: Bus or car to T. 10-15 min drive to Quincy Center.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,800 - $2,200. Better value for space.
   • Best For: Teachers seeking a quieter, more traditional neighborhood vibe.

4. Marina Bay / Squantum:

   • Vibe: Upscale, scenic waterfront living. More condos and townhomes. Very quiet and safe.
   • Commute: Bus to T or drive. 15-20 min to Quincy Center.
   • Rent (1BR): $2,600 - $3,200+. Above median rent.
   • Best For: Teachers with a higher budget or who value the waterfront lifestyle.

5. Germantown:

   • Vibe: Historic, charming, with a small-town feel. Quaint streets, older homes, and a strong sense of community.
   • Commute: 10-15 min drive or bus to T. It's a bit more isolated from the main T stops.
   • Rent (1BR): $2,000 - $2,300. Limited apartment stock; more single-family rentals.
   • Best For: Those who love historic charm and don't mind a short drive to the T.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Quincy, career growth is about specialization and leadership. The standard classroom path is slow (step increases), but premiums for specialties are significant.

• Specialty Premiums: Special Education (SPED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers often receive higher pay or are on a faster track to hiring. Bilingual teachers (especially Spanish, Haitian Creole, or Portuguese) are in high demand in Quincy's diverse schools.
• Advancement Paths:
  1. Curriculum Specialist/Coach: After 5-7 years, you can apply for instructional coach roles within QPS. Pay is on the upper end of the teacher scale.
  2. Department Head/Grade Level Chair: A leadership stipend is often added to your base salary.
  3. Administration: Pursuing a Master's in Educational Leadership and a Principal/Assistant Principal license (through a program like at UMass Boston or Lesley). This is the biggest pay jump, moving into the $90,000 - $120,000 range.
  4. Adjunct Professor: With extensive experience, teach future teachers at local universities (Bridgewater, UMass Boston, Curry College).
• 10-Year Outlook: With a 1% job growth, don't expect a boom. However, the mass retirements of baby boomer teachers will create openings. The key will be having a master's degree and in-demand specializations. The shift toward inclusive education (mainstreaming SPED students) will drive demand for skilled general ed teachers who can differentiate instruction.

The Verdict: Is Quincy Right for You?

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Strong Salary & Benefits: $65,885 median is solid for the region, with a great state pension (TRS).	High Cost of Living: Rent at $2,377/month eats up a large portion of your income.
Unbeatable Commute: Red Line access to Boston is a huge perk for city lovers.	Competitive Job Market: Few openings, and local candidates often have an advantage.
Diverse & Engaging Students: Quincy's multicultural population is a rewarding professional environment.	Buying a Home is Difficult: On a single teacher's salary, it's a major challenge without significant savings or a partner.
Urban-Suburban Balance: You get city amenities (dining, culture) without the chaos of downtown Boston.	10-Year Growth is Stagnant: Career advancement requires you to be proactive and specialize.
Proximity to Everything: Easy access to Boston, the South Shore beaches, and the Blue Hills.	Old Housing Stock: Many apartments are in older buildings, which can mean higher heating bills and maintenance quirks.

Final Recommendation

Quincy is an excellent choice for an Elementary School Teacher if you value an urban lifestyle, easy access to Boston, and are willing to rent long-term or have a dual income. It's not the place to move if your primary goal is to buy a home on a single teacher's salary immediately. The teaching jobs are stable and rewarding, but you must be strategic about specialization (SPED/ESL) and patient with the hiring process. If you can secure a position in Quincy Public Schools or with Boston Public Schools, the lifestyle and professional opportunities are hard to beat in the metro area.

FAQs

1. How difficult is it to get hired directly into Quincy Public Schools (QPS)?
It's competitive. QPS tends to hire from its own pool of substitutes and student teachers first. The best strategy is to apply to be a paraprofessional or substitute teacher in QPS while you get licensed. This gets your foot in the door and lets you understand the school culture.

2. What is the student demographic like in Quincy?
Quincy is highly diverse. You'll teach students from a wide range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, including a large immigrant population (Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian, Irish, Italian). This requires cultural competency and often ESL support. It's a dynamic and engaging environment.

3. Do I need a car in Quincy?
It depends on your neighborhood. If you live in North Quincy or Quincy Center, you can easily live without a car using the T and buses. If you live in Adams Shore, Squantum, or Hough's Neck, a car is highly recommended for daily errands and commuting to schools that aren't on a direct bus line.

4. Are there opportunities for summer income?
Yes. Many teachers work in summer programs run by the South Shore YMCA, Quincy Public Schools' extended learning programs, or local private camps. Some also take on tutoring or work for educational nonprofits. This is a common way to supplement income.

5. What's the interview process like for QPS?
Typically, you'll have an initial screening (often virtual), followed by an in-person interview at the school with the principal and a team of teachers. Be prepared with lesson plans, examples of differentiation, and knowledge of Quincy's curriculum and student population. Research the specific school's profile and test scores beforehand.