Teacher Pay by State 2024
In America, some states pay teachers a lot more money than others. States like New York, Massachusetts, and California pay teachers the most, with salaries ranging from around $87,000 to $92,000 a year. These states really value education and want to attract the best teachers. But in other states like Mississippi, South Dakota, and West Virginia, teachers don’t get paid as much. Their salaries can be as low as $47,000 to $50,000 a year.
This big difference in pay shows that some states focus more on education than others. When teachers are paid well, they feel happier and are more likely to stay in their jobs. But when salaries are low, it can be hard to keep good teachers around. Fixing this gap is important so that all kids can get a good education no matter where they live.
In the USA, teachers earn an average salary of $66,397 per year as of 2022. This amount increased by $1,104 from the previous year. Where you live can affect how much you make as a teacher because of differences in the cost of living across the country.
New York is often considered the best state for teachers. It offers the highest average salaries and a relatively low teacher-to-student ratio, which helps balance out the high cost of living. Virginia also ranks highly for teachers’ quality of life.
There’s a high demand for teachers in the USA. Across the country, there are about 36,000 teacher vacancies from kindergarten to high school. Additionally, around 163,000 teachers currently working aren’t fully qualified for their jobs, according to data from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University.
Teacher Pay by State 2024
Top 10 Highest Paying States for Teachers:
- New York – $92,222
- Massachusetts – $88,903
- California – $87,275
- District of Columbia – $82,523
- Washington – $81,586
- Connecticut – $81,185
- New Jersey – $79,045
- Rhode Island – $76,852
- Maryland – $75,766
- Alaska – $73,722
Top 10 Lowest Paying States for Teachers:
- Mississippi – $47,162
- South Dakota – $49,761
- West Virginia – $50,315
- Florida – $51,230
- Louisiana – $52,376
- Missouri – $52,481
- Arkansas – $52,486
- South Carolina – $53,393
- Tennessee – $53,619
- Montana – $53,628
Teacher Pay by State 2024
| State | Average Teacher Pay |
|---|---|
| New York | $92,222 |
| Massachusetts | $88,903 |
| California | $87,275 |
| District of Columbia | $82,523 |
| Washington | $81,586 |
| Connecticut | $81,185 |
| New Jersey | $79,045 |
| Rhode Island | $76,852 |
| Maryland | $75,766 |
| Alaska | $73,722 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,428 |
| Illinois | $72,301 |
| Oregon | $69,671 |
| Minnesota | $68,491 |
| Hawaii | $67,000 |
| Delaware | $65,647 |
| Michigan | $65,198 |
| Ohio | $63,153 |
| Vermont | $62,866 |
| New Hampshire | $62,783 |
| Georgia | $61,249 |
| Wyoming | $60,820 |
| Wisconsin | $60,453 |
| Virginia | $59,965 |
| Iowa | $59,262 |
| Texas | $58,887 |
| Maine | $58,757 |
| Utah | $58,619 |
| Colorado | $58,481 |
| Nevada | $57,804 |
| Nebraska | $57,420 |
| Alabama | $55,834 |
| North Dakota | $55,769 |
| Kansas | $54,815 |
| Oklahoma | $54,804 |
| Arizona | $54,580 |
| Kentucky | $54,574 |
| New Mexico | $54,272 |
| Idaho | $54,232 |
| Indiana | $54,126 |
| North Carolina | $53,644 |
| Montana | $53,628 |
| Tennessee | $53,619 |
| South Carolina | $53,393 |
| Arkansas | $52,486 |
| Missouri | $52,481 |
| Louisiana | $52,376 |
| Florida | $51,230 |
| West Virginia | $50,315 |
| South Dakota | $49,761 |
| Mississippi | $47,162 |
| United States | $62,812 |
Best States for Education 2024 https://usadatahub.com/best-states-for-education-2024/
U.S. Literacy Rates by State 2024 https://usadatahub.com/u-s-literacy-rates-by-state-2024/
Teacher Pay by State 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is teaching a good career in the US? Teaching in the US offers numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. While it may not be the highest-paying career, teachers can earn enough to lead a comfortable life, especially with summers off. Additionally, there are options for having student loans forgiven, making it an appealing career choice for many.
How much do foreign teachers earn in the US? Foreign teachers in the US earn varying salaries depending on their qualifications and experience. On average, international teachers earn around $46,590 annually, with top earners making approximately $63,500 per year. These figures may vary based on factors such as location and school district.
What are the benefits of being a teacher in the US? Despite the salary not always reflecting the impact teachers have on society, schools in the US often offer generous benefits packages. These can include health insurance, vision and dental coverage, retirement plans, opportunities for continuing education, and more, making teaching an attractive career option.
Is it hard to become a teacher in the US? Becoming a certified teacher typically takes between four to five years of education and training. However, for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree, there are accelerated teacher certification programs available. These programs can allow individuals to become licensed in as little as one year, though some programs may take longer, providing a quicker path to starting a teaching career.
Source:
U.S. Department of Education data https://www.ed.gov/
Nebraska Department of Education’s 2020-2021 Teacher Vacancy Survey Report https://www.education.ne.gov/
National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement website https://www.nasdtec.net/
State’s educator career resource center https://www.examplestateeducationdepartment.gov/
Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board https://ptsb.state.wy.us/