Issues of comparability associated with teacher compensation and the teaching environment influence international comparisons of teacher salaries, however. For instance, the structure and makeup of compensation and benefits packages can differ dramatically from country to country.
Some countries rely heavily on forms of cash compensation other than basic salary, such as bonuses.
Others have fringe benefits that differ substantially in scope from those in the United States. In addition, the share of gross teacher salary earmarked for retirement and health care variesoften substantiallyacross countries. U.S. teachers, for instance, contribute between 13 and 21 percent of their gross salary to state retirement funds, national social security, and health care premiumssubstantially more than teachers in other countries. Swedish teachers, on the other hand, have no paycheck deductions for retirement or national social security. International teacher salary comparisons can be further affected by intercountry variations in working conditions and job characteristics.