Education Spending
Teacher Pay by State 2026
United States $66.4K
1.69%
US Average The average teacher salary across all states.
California $101.1K
Highest
Mississippi $53.7K
Lowest
Average Teacher Salary
$50K
$60K
$70K
$80K
$90K
$100K
$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
-
The average teacher salary in the United States is $66.4K per year.
-
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?
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Teachers make between $53.7K in Mississippi and $101.1K in California, with pay varying widely based on state education budgets, cost of living, and local wage levels.
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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
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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).
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Higher-paying states are often associated with higher living costs, larger education budgets, and stronger competition for qualified teachers.
Lowest Paying States for Teachers
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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 many states increased education funding and responded to teacher shortages. Growth has been uneven, with some states posting much faster salary gains than others.
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.
Definitions & Methodology
Average vs. Starting Teacher Salaries Average teacher salaries reflect earnings across all experience levels, while starting salaries measure pay for newly hired teachers entering the profession. Starting salaries are typically much lower than statewide averages and can vary substantially from one state to another.
What Determines Teacher Salaries? Teacher salaries are primarily determined by state and local education budgets, which are funded through tax revenue. Other factors include cost of living, teacher unions' bargaining power, state legislation on minimum teacher pay, and competition for qualified educators.
Last Updated: May 29, 2026
