Earnings of occupations concentrated in the educational services industry-education administrators, teachers, counselors, and librarians-are significantly higher than the average for all occupations, because the workers tend to be older and have higher levels of educational attainment. Among teachers, earnings increase with higher educational attainment and more years of service. Full-time postsecondary teachers earn the most, followed by elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers. Most teachers are paid a salary, but part-time instructors in postsecondary institutions usually are paid a fixed amount per course. Educational services employees who work the traditional school year can earn additional money during the summer in jobs related to, or outside of, education. Benefits generally are good, but, as in other industries, part-time workers often do not receive the same benefits that full-time workers do.

Almost 40 percent of workers in the educational services industry-the largest number being in elementary, middle, and secondary schools-are union members or are covered by union contracts, compared with only 15 percent of workers in all industries combined. The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association are the largest unions representing teachers and other school personnel.