Teacher Pay by State 2026
United States
California
MississippiAverage Teacher Salary
$101.1K
$95.6K
$92.1K
$91.7K
$86.7K
$86.5K
Teacher Pay by State
State | Average Teacher Salary 2024↓ | Average Teacher Starting Salary 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | California | $101.1K | $58,409 |
 | New York | $95.6K | $50,077 |
 | Massachusetts | $92.1K | $52,616 |
 | Washington | $91.7K | $57,912 |
 | District of Columbia | $86.7K | $63,373 |
 | Connecticut | $86.5K | $49,860 |
 | Maryland | $84.3K | $54,439 |
 | New Jersey | $82.9K | $57,603 |
 | Rhode Island | $82.2K | $47,205 |
 | Alaska | $78.3K | $52,451 |
 | Oregon | $77.1K | $44,446 |
 | Pennsylvania | $77K | $50,470 |
 | Illinois | $76K | $45,061 |
 | Hawaii | $74.2K | $51,835 |
 | Minnesota | $72.4K | $44,995 |
 | Delaware | $71.2K | $48,407 |
 | Vermont | $69.6K | $44,524 |
 | Utah | $69.2K | $55,711 |
 | Michigan | $69.1K | $41,645 |
 | Colorado | $68.6K | $42,421 |
 | New Mexico | $68.4K | $53,400 |
 | Ohio | $68.2K | $40,982 |
 | Georgia | $67.6K | $43,654 |
 | New Hampshire | $67.2K | $42,588 |
 | Nevada | $66.9K | $47,355 |
 | Virginia | $66.3K | $48,666 |
 | Wisconsin | $65.8K | $42,259 |
 | Wyoming | $63.7K | $50,214 |
 | Arizona | $62.7K | $46,128 |
 | Maine | $62.6K | $42,380 |
 | Texas | $62.5K | $48,526 |
 | Iowa | $62.4K | $40,997 |
 | Alabama | $61.9K | $44,610 |
 | Idaho | $61.5K | $45,717 |
 | Oklahoma | $61.3K | $41,152 |
 | South Carolina | $60.8K | $44,693 |
 | Nebraska | $60.2K | $38,811 |
 | Tennessee | $58.6K | $44,897 |
 | Indiana | $58.6K | $45,007 |
 | North Dakota | $58.6K | $43,734 |
 | Arkansas | $58.3K | $50,031 |
 | Kentucky | $58.3K | $40,161 |
 | North Carolina | $58.3K | $42,542 |
 | Kansas | $58.1K | $42,800 |
 | Montana | $57.6K | $35,674 |
 | South Dakota | $56.3K | $45,530 |
 | Louisiana | $55.9K | $46,682 |
 | West Virginia | $55.5K | $42,708 |
 | Missouri | $55.1K | $38,871 |
 | Florida | $54.9K | $48,639 |
 | Mississippi | $53.7K | $42,492 |
- According to the National Education Association (NEA), the national average salary for teachers was $72,030 in 2024.
- Note that 2022 and 2024 data come from different sources (NEA and US Bureau of Labor Statistics), which could confound direct year-to-year comparisons.
Key Findings
Teacher Salary
NEA’s 2025 report put the national average public school teacher salary at $72,030 for the 2023–24 school year. This reported national figure differs from a simple average of state salary figures and was likely computed using each teacher's individual reported salary.
Teacher pay has increased in recent years as states respond to teacher shortages, though starting teacher salaries remain significantly lower.
How Much Do Teachers Make?
Estimated 2024 state average teacher salaries ranged from $53.7K in Mississippi to $101.1K in California. These are averages across teachers rather than the minimum and maximum salaries an individual teacher can earn.
Many states have raised teacher salaries in recent years as school systems face ongoing teacher shortages, inflation pressures, and retention challenges.
Highest Paying States for Teachers
California has the highest teacher salary at $101.1K. The five highest paying states for teachers are California ($101.1K), New York ($95.6K), Massachusetts ($92.1K), Washington ($91.7K), and District of Columbia ($86.7K).
Higher-paying states are often associated with higher living costs, larger education budgets, and stronger competition for qualified teachers.
Lowest Paying States for Teachers
Mississippi has the lowest teacher salary at $53.7K. The five lowest paying states for teachers are Louisiana ($55.9K), West Virginia ($55.5K), Missouri ($55.1K), Florida ($54.9K), and Mississippi ($53.7K).
Lower teacher pay is more common in states with lower average wage levels, smaller tax bases, and more rural school systems.
United States Trend Line
Average Teacher Salary Trends
Average teacher salaries have generally risen in recent years as several states increased education funding and responded to teacher shortages. However, growth has been uneven, with some states posting much faster salary gains than others. Note that the 2024 average salary data and 2022 median salary data shown come from different sources. A change between a median and a mean is not a like-for-like pay increase.
Teacher Pay by State
State Comparison
Teacher pay differs substantially across the United States, with the highest-paying states offering salaries far above the national average. Differences in funding levels, living costs, and labor market conditions all influence statewide teacher compensation.
