Skip to main content

harry potter - How well are professors paid at Hogwarts?


Just kind of a curious question that came to mind while looking at this answer about who gifted Harry the Nimbus 2000 (a fairly expensive broom at the time, I would imagine) which says it was McGonagal who gave it to him (although apparently through the school, while reading more and the linked non-dupe question).


Although I suppose she didn't pay for it herself, it still got me thinking... Compared to other professions in the wizarding world, how well are the professors paid? I cannot recall anything in either the books (which I have not read in some time) or the films, where they ever talk about their salary.



Answer



Slughorn isn't bowled over by his salary even after his raise. When Harry takes Felix Felicis and runs into Slughorn before Aragog's burial, he explains what he's doing and Slughorn realises there's an opportunity to collect some venom and so goes down to Hagrid's, gets drunk and eventually hands over the memory. While he's talking himself into this we get:



'... seems an awful waste not to collect it ... might get a hundred Galleons a pint ... to be frank, my salary is not large ...'


Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - p.450 - Bloomsbury - Chapter 22, After the Burial



However, the strong indication throughout the book is that he's doing alright for himself. He's accustomed to a pretty high standard of living and his idea of "not a very large salary" may differ a little from yours or mine.




Slughorn took another deep draught from his mug, his eyes moving carefully around the cabin now, looking, Harry knew, for more treasures that he might be able to covert into a plentiful supply of oak-matured mead, crystallised pineapple and velvet smoking jackets.


Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - p.455 - Bloomsbury - Chapter 22, After the Burial



If you're asking me, I'd say probably enough to put you right in the middle of the middle class.


Real world teachers in Britain apparently earn £22,023 (new qualified) to £32,187. I would imagine Slughorn's salary is right at the top end of this range in the wizarding world (adjusted for PPP and all the rest of it) - probably slightly more.


Another thing to consider is that Hogwarts teachers apparently get full bed and board for all the time they're teaching. What this means is that if you don't have any dependants, a large percentage of your salary is disposable income. Which means that Slughorn's salary probably goes a lot further towards his cushy lifestyle than the salary of a teacher who was married and with kids. So the fact that Slughorn seems to have quite a nice life may be related to how much of his money is his to spend on sweets and comfy chairs. He, also, of course, gets quite a lot of gifts from ex-students.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more