Yes, starting salaries may be comparable between education and noneducation jobs for degreed professionals.

The problem is with the experience level beyond the first year. In education you might work 20 years and only end up with less than a $10,000 raise in that span of time. In the noneducation world, you generally can make what you are worth and will usually make more than just a $10,000 raise in a 20 year time span working in the same company, industry or profession.

Being compensated fairly beyond the first year would be a great step in education.

Districts are getting better at attracting teachers, but not doing so well at retaining teachers.