Canadian teachers are among the top earners when compared to educators around the world, says a new report.

“Education at a glance” was released this week by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, which comprises 34 developed nations.

“Canadian teachers are well paid: salaries after 15 years of experience are among the highest across OECD countries at $90 (U.S.) per teaching hour for secondary school teachers and more than $65,000 (U.S.) per year,” says a summary of the Canadian portion of the data. (All figures are in U.S. dollars.)

“Across OECD countries, the average statutory salary per teaching hour after 15 years of experience and with typical qualifications is $53 for primary teachers, $63 for lower secondary teachers and $71 for upper secondary teachers in general education. In Canada, salaries per teaching hour are $84 at the primary level and $90” at the secondary level.

Secondary teachers wages, averaging $66,700 are the fourth highest internationally, after Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Teachers in Ontario recently ratified three-year tentative agreements that include a 1.5 per cent pay increase over the life of the contract. In Toronto, elementary teachers currently begin their careers earning $42,283 to $55,404, up to a maximum of $94,707 (all figures Canadian) — or roughly $71,000 U.S. — after 10 years.

Canada also spends more per student in elementary, secondary and post-secondary than the OECD average.

The OECD report also notes Canadians are well-educated, with 54 per cent of adults earning post-secondary credentials, “the highest share among OECD countries (OECD average: 34 per cent).”

“In Canada, the tertiary education system rests on a wide diversity of institutions and programs; a quarter of Canadians aged 25-64 attained a college diploma as their highest level of education, a proportion higher than in any other OECD country,” says the report.

The OECD also found that some 28 per cent of Canadian adults have at a bachelor’s degree or higher, just slightly higher than the overall average of 27 per cent.