The conventional labor market model is used to explain wage determination in considering the changes in teachers' salaries relative to those of other occupations and to the cost-of-living index. The study was limited by the lack of suitable data on teachers' salaries over an extended period of time. The data studied break down of teacher salaries by year, educational level, and sex. The author shows a series of fluctuations in relative salaries that leave secondary school teachers in 1975 at the same level as they had enjoyed in 1951 and elementary teachers at the level of 1957-58. On the other hand, median salaries are shown to have exceeded the rise in cost of living. The effect of supply and demand in the teacher work force is also demonstrated to affect teacher salaries. Statistics on previous periods of declining enrollment indicate a very slight drop in the total number of teachers and a slight decline in salaries, followed by significant increases when teacher demand increased. (Author/WD)