Argentine teachers wait 15 years for permanent posts

A new report by Argentinos por la Educación reveals that Argentine primary school teachers typically wait about 15 years to achieve job stability, with many still working as substitutes well into their 40s. The study, authored by Cecilia Veleda (CIPPEC), Federico del Carpio, and María Sol Alzú, analyzed statutes from all 24 jurisdictions, household survey data, and teacher questionnaires from the Aprender 2025 evaluation Source: La Voz.

Career timeline

The teaching career begins around age 18 with entry into teacher training, and the first post usually comes around age 25—but over half (52%) of teachers under 25 work as substitutes Source: Infobae. Between ages 30 and 39, 40% have secured a permanent position, yet 39% remain substitutes. Only between ages 40 and 49 does a majority (61%) achieve tenure, meaning 4 in 10 teachers aged 40–49 still lack stability Source: Infobae. Directorship posts, which represent just 10% of positions, are typically reached around age 50 via competitive exam Source: La Voz.

Salary growth

Salaries rise with age but accelerate late in the career. Compared to teachers aged 18–24, earnings are 42% higher for ages 25–34, 53% higher for 35–44, and peak at 93% higher for ages 45–54, before dipping to 76% after 55 Source: La Voz. This growth outpaces the general workforce (86%) and other tertiary-educated workers (55%) Source: La Voz.

Regional differences

The report stresses there is no single national teaching career but 24 distinct jurisdictional regimes, many rooted in the 1958 National Teaching Statute. Nine statutes date from the 1950s–60s, while only three were created after 2000 Source: Infobae. Entry requirements are uniform—Argentine nationality, teaching qualification, and psychophysical fitness—but nine provinces impose age limits between 35 and 50, while 15, including Córdoba, do not Source: La Voz.