The Rebbe doesn’t say anything about giving professional pay only to a melamed with a Masters degree or anything similar (something that we know that the Rebbe was strongly opposed to). Melamdim in 5738 did not have any degree and yet the Rebbe says that they should be paid like professionals.

Besides, a degree has little to do with expertise. We all know experts who don’t have any degree and people with degrees who are clueless… We can appreciate talent and dedication for what it is, and a piece of paper or some alphabet doesn’t change that.

I look forward to one day having skilled educated teachers who are willing to learn not only teach by repetition but actually willing to Learn the equivalent of Master’s degree in Childhood or Early Childhood Education so our children have healthy childhood experiences where they spend 8 hours a day.

Professionals don’t become professional without education. Expensive education, years of education.

A teacher who becomes a master teacher deserves to be paid as a professional.

And don’t forget…. If you pay a teacher 125,000 a year… he has to realize that he will be paying taxes…. Losing all his benefits which between child care, self care, insurance, food assistance etc.,all the perks of being paid as a Rebbe…

And don’t forget reduced or free tuition. Tuition for 5 children today can be upwards of 40,000.
Add that to a melamad’s pay.
And unlike “regular Jobs” where each day of yom tov goes to vacation or sick days… I don’t think a Malamud parnossa issues are any more concerning than a regular Baal habos. Actually think it’s less….

Because unlike the “businessman making 180,000 a year, being taxed 50,00. Expected to pay full tuition and more….

How many melamdim don’t own homes? And summer homes? Somehow the system is working for them.
Yasher Koach to all the amazing teachers out there.

“It would be appropriate for the leadership to receive ten to fifteen percent above the others,” the Rebbe said, “Teachers should have the same as [the salaries paid] in other establishments—perhaps £1 or £2 more. Even if this will increase the deficit, it is okay.””
https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/1271297/jewish/Discussing-Lubavitch-Activities-and-Expansion.htm#:~:text=At%20the%20time,it%20is%20okay.%22