From a New York Times news article about teacher pay: "average teacher pay — $56,643, according to the Department of Education — is lower than the average pay in many other professions that require college and graduate degrees."
The Times does not point out that those "many other professions" don't also offer summers and school vacation weeks off, defined-benefit pensions, lifetime job security, and generous health insurance benefits. Not to take anything away from teachers — I love teachers. Just to make sure that the compensation comparison is an accurate one.