[MediaMole]

Look at Wisconsin, there are many teachers earning over $100k and the average compensation is in the $70k range. Also, this is total compensation, figuring in the wages along with pension and insurance. Until the recent reforms, teachers statewide paid nothing out of pocket for their health insurance or pensions.

Here's an example at Nicolet High School, one of the best paying in Wisconsin.

I'm leaving off the full names, but it is in a searchable database here.

Salary for a teacher named Christopher is $78,591, with benefits worth $34,980 for total compensation of $113,571.

A physical education teacher in the Elmbrook district named Mark has salary of $64,555 and benefits worth $30,595 for a total compensation of $95,150.

An elementary school teacher named Rebecca in the Waukesha School district is paid $57,006 in salary and $32,553 benefits for a total of $89,559.

[xsrdx]

An elementary school teacher named Rebecca in the Waukesha School district is paid $57,006 in salary and $32,553 benefits for a total of $89,559.

Your range of examples explains the $56/hr total avg compensation then, assuming 9 months of work - although I doubt every state compensates teachers as well as Wisconsin does.