--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With respect to teachers' salaries … Poor…" description: "\"With respect to teachers' salaries … Poor teachers are grossly overpaid and good teachers grossly underpaid. Salary schedules tend to be uniform and de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/milton-friedman-616_determined_with-respect-to-teachers-salaries-poor-t_417338.png" --- # With respect to teachers' salaries … Poor teachers are… ![“With respect to teachers' salaries … Poor teachers are grossly overpaid and good teachers grossly underpaid. Salary schedules tend to be uniform and determined far more by seniority.” quote by Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/milton-friedman-616_determined_with-respect-to-teachers-salaries-poor-t_417338.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/milton-friedman-616_determined_with-respect-to-teachers-salaries-poor-t_417338.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/milton-friedman-616_determined_with-respect-to-teachers-salaries-poor-t_417338.png) > “With respect to teachers' salaries … Poor teachers are grossly overpaid and good teachers grossly underpaid. Salary schedules tend to be uniform and determined far more by seniority.” [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Teacher pay is often misaligned; seniority dominates over merit, leading to underpayment of good teachers and overpayment of poor ones. **In simple terms:** Teacher salaries often ignore quality, favoring seniority. Key Takeaway Advocate merit‑based pay structures. Themes education salary meritocracy Mood analytical critical Type policy educational When to use this quote - school budgeting - teacher hiring - performance reviews - policy reform Key Concepts human capital incentive design public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can merit be measured fairly? - What safeguards prevent bias? A Different Perspective Changing pay systems can be politically contentious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Good teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-teacher/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Poor Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-teachers-1266000/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Salaries Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salaries-poor-3707330/) [Salary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salary/) [Schedules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schedules/) [Seniority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seniority/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teachers Salaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teachers-salaries-3620386/) [Underpaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underpaid/) [Underpaid Salary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underpaid-salary-3707331/) [Uniforms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniforms/) ## Related quotes > [I think we spend too much on K-12 education a.k.a. teachers' salaries. It's the only industry where you never see any productivity increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brimelow/i-think-we-spend-too-much-on-k-12-education-a-k-a-teachers-salaries/) [Peter Brimelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brimelow/) > [“Hunger and necessity are poor teachers of morality. A society that cannot provide the basics of life does not get its laws obeyed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-quinnell/hunger-and-necessity-are-poor-teachers-of-morality-a-society-that/) [A.J. Quinnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-quinnell/) > [In a very real way, the poor are our teachers. They show us that people’s value is not measured by their possessions or how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/in-a-very-real-way-the-poor-are-our-teachers-they-show-us-that-people/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [When you live in a poor neighborhood, you are living in an area where you have poor schools. When you have poor schools, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/when-you-live-in-a-poor-neighborhood-you-are-living-in-an-area-where/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Good teachers cost a lot; but, poor teachers cost a lot more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/good-teachers-cost-a-lot-but-poor-teachers-cost-a-lot-more/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [The toughest thing about raising kids is convincing them that you have seniority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-brown/the-toughest-thing-about-raising-kids-is-convincing-them-that-you/) [Gene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-brown/) > [Some day, the public might actually revolt against the undemocratic system of seniority that allows Congress to keep the old ways of Washington ingrained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-todd/some-day-the-public-might-actually-revolt-against-the-undemocratic/) [Chuck Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-todd/) > [I used to think that seniority was a terrible thing when I didn't have any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-used-to-think-that-seniority-was-a-terrible-thing-when-i-didn-t/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [Seniority actually means something in the Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-murkowski/seniority-actually-means-something-in-the-senate/) [Lisa Murkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-murkowski/) > [I specially want to have young women not to wait as I did until my children were grown, but young women to come in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-specially-want-to-have-young-women-not-to-wait-as-i-did-until-my/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Teaching, the most noble profession, should be rewarded based on merit alone, not seniority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kostabi/teaching-the-most-noble-profession-should-be-rewarded-based-on-merit/) [Mark Kostabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kostabi/) > [We started tearing down the seniority system on Capitol Hill. All of that begins in the '70s. It accelerates and continues in the '90s,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-rauch/we-started-tearing-down-the-seniority-system-on-capitol-hill-all-of/) [Jonathan Rauch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-rauch/) > [Sunbae-hoobae seniority is a very tricky, weird kind of thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/sunbae-hoobae-seniority-is-a-very-tricky-weird-kind-of-thing/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [But I will say, I think there are some Democrats that don't want to address pension reform. I have taken on the issue of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-villaraigosa/but-i-will-say-i-think-there-are-some-democrats-that-don-t-want-to/) [Antonio Villaraigosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-villaraigosa/) > [Everyone believed the Senate could not really be led. It used to take so long to rise up through seniority. In two years Lyndon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/everyone-believed-the-senate-could-not-really-be-led-it-used-to-take/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) ## More by Milton Friedman > [The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/the-government-solution-to-a-problem-is-usually-as-bad-as-the-problem/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [I believe the role that people like myself have played in the transformation of public opinion has been by persistently presenting a different point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/i-believe-the-role-that-people-like-myself-have-played-in-the/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [To really understand something you've got to reduce it to its principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/to-really-understand-something-you-ve-got-to-reduce-it-to-its/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [It is a mark of how far we have gone on the road to serfdom that government allocation and rationing of oil is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/it-is-a-mark-of-how-far-we-have-gone-on-the-road-to-serfdom-that/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [Economic freedom is an essential requisite for political freedom. By enabling people to cooperate with one another without coercion or central direction, it reduces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/economic-freedom-is-an-essential-requisite-for-political-freedom-by/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [“The people in one district can choose not to reelect their member of Congress, but that will not change the composition of the government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/the-people-in-one-district-can-choose-not-to-reelect-their-member-of/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [When you have a time of crisis what happens depends on what ideas are floating around, and what ideas have been developed, and thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/when-you-have-a-time-of-crisis-what-happens-depends-on-what-ideas-are/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [The government doesn't have any money. The only power it has is to take from some and give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/the-government-doesn-t-have-any-money-the-only-power-it-has-is-to/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [What would the people who sold us goods do with the money? They'd get dollars. What would they do with the dollars? Eat them?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/what-would-the-people-who-sold-us-goods-do-with-the-money-they-d-get/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [World trade depends on differences among countries, not similarities. Different countries are in different stages of development. It is appropriate for them to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/world-trade-depends-on-differences-among-countries-not-similarities/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [Is there some society you know of that doesn't run on greed? You think Russia doesn't run on greed? You think China doesn't run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/is-there-some-society-you-know-of-that-doesn-t-run-on-greed-you-think/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [Well first of all, tell me, is there some society you know of that doesn't run on greed? You think Russia doesn't run on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/well-first-of-all-tell-me-is-there-some-society-you-know-of-that/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [I think almost every economist would agree that government gets itself in trouble when it tries to interfere with voluntary behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/i-think-almost-every-economist-would-agree-that-government-gets/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [It is most attractive about the US to people and countries with wealth is that it can provide security, insurance really, against political instability.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/it-is-most-attractive-about-the-us-to-people-and-countries-with/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) > [Hong Kong is the bellwether. If the Chinese stick to their agreement to let Hong Kong go its own path, then China will also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-friedman/hong-kong-is-the-bellwether-if-the-chinese-stick-to-their-agreement/) [Milton Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) [Explore all 444 Milton Friedman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-friedman/) ## More Determined quotes > [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Ignorance is not bliss — it is oblivion. Determined ignorance is the hastiest kind of oblivion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-wylie/ignorance-is-not-bliss-it-is-oblivion-determined-ignorance-is-the/) [Philip Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-wylie/) > [I was determined to be an actor and make a name in the industry, and hence, I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawazuddin-siddiqui/i-was-determined-to-be-an-actor-and-make-a-name-in-the-industry-and/) [Nawazuddin Siddiqui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawazuddin-siddiqui/) > [Always remember, there is more strength in you than you ever realized or even imagined. Certainly nothing can keep you down if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/always-remember-there-is-more-strength-in-you-than-you-ever-realized/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [Early experience shapes the structure and function of the brain. This reveals the fundamental way in which gene expression is determined by experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-j-siegel/early-experience-shapes-the-structure-and-function-of-the-brain-this/) [Daniel J. Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-j-siegel/) > [The laws of thermodynamics, as empirically determined, express the approximate and probable behavior of systems of a great number of particles, or, more precisely,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-willard-gibbs/the-laws-of-thermodynamics-as-empirically-determined-express-the/) [J. Willard Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-willard-gibbs/) > [The more we sense...our ultimate potential, the more determined we become to achieve it. It's the difference between your mother hounding you to practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/the-more-we-sense-our-ultimate-potential-the-more-determined-we/) [Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/) > [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Further conceive, I beg, that a stone, while continuing in motion, should be capable of thinking and knowing, that it is endeavoring, as far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/further-conceive-i-beg-that-a-stone-while-continuing-in-motion-should/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Your success will be determined by the quality of your relationships with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/your-success-will-be-determined-by-the-quality-of-your-relationships/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [I've always been competitive and determined. It's part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-ve-always-been-competitive-and-determined-it-s-part-of-my/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, Our Flag will be recognized throughout the World as a symbol of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-marshall/we-are-determined-that-before-the-sun-sets-on-this-terrible-struggle/) [George C. Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-marshall/) > [I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-washington/i-am-still-determined-to-be-cheerful-and-happy-in-whatever-situation/) [Martha Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-washington/) [Browse all 2,245 Determined quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determined/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With respect to teachers' salaries … Poor teachers are grossly overpaid and good teachers grossly underpaid. 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