Teaching is a noble profession. It can be rewarding, change lives and provide stability for future generations. Being a teacher can also be stressful and challenging. The salary you will earn as a teacher can vary greatly depending on where you live, your level of education and whether you take up additional responsibilities. Below is a guide to how much teachers make in each state
A teacher’s salary varies widely based on where they teach and whether they are a full-time or part-time employee. In both public and private schools, the highest paying teachers tend to be in special education.
A teacher’s salary can vary slightly depending on where she teaches and what level of education she has completed. Average salaries are calculated based on the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average salary for all elementary and middle school teachers in the United States as of April 2013 was $57,030 annually. The average salary for all high school teachers was $56,270 annually.
Teacher Salary In The United States Overview
Teacher salaries in the United States vary by state, but they are generally higher than the national average.
In 2017, the median annual salary for high school teachers was $59,660. For elementary school teachers, it was $56,610. This means that half of all high school teachers earned more than $59,660 and half earned less. Elementary school teachers earned an average of $56,610 in 2017.
Teachers in public schools typically make more money than those in private schools. In 2015-16, public school teachers received an average salary of $58,110 per year while private school teachers received an average of $48,410 per year.
The teacher salary calculator on this page can help you estimate how much you might earn as a teacher based on your location and experience level. When you enter your information into the calculator you’ll see not only what your minimum salary would be but also what your maximum salary could be based on various factors like education level and years of experience.
When calculating how much money does a teacher make per year take into consideration that some states offer additional incentives for certain types of teaching positions like special education or bilingual education instructors who may receive higher salaries than other teachers within their district or
Average teachers’ salary in the US
The National Education Association found out that an average teacher earned $60,477 a year for the 2017-2018 school year. It is almost similar to the average salary of an event planner and a personal trainer. While the starting salary is below $40,000 in most of the school districts, teachers find plenty of opportunities to grow. h
A high school teacher makes $71,000 a year while an average elementary school teacher makes $67,000 a year. According to US News, middle school teachers made a median of $59,660 in 2019. The top 25% of them made over $76,000 in 2019. So, we can say it all depends on your unique teaching experience, qualification, and where you decide to teach.
Let’s find out the average salary of teachers based on their school levels.
Cities with the highest pay for high school teachers
Napa, Fresno, Santa Cruz, Stockton, and San Jose pay the highest salary in the high school teaching profession.
| Napa, California | $99,170 |
| Fresno, California | $96,200 |
| Santa Cruz, California | $95,500 |
| Stockton, California | $94,410 |
| San Jose, California | $92,500 |
States with the highest pay for high school teachers
According to the NCES, the following states and districts pay the highest mean salary to High School Teachers: New York ($88,890), California ($86,900), Massachusetts ($84,130), and New Jersey ($78,900), and Connecticut ($78,510).
| New York | $88,890 |
| California | $86,900 |
| Massachusetts | $84,130 |
| New Jersey | $78,900 |
| Connecticut | $78,510 |
How much money do elementary school teachers make?
The average income of an elementary teacher may vary from state to state. So, we will take a quick look at the 5 states where elementary school teachers make the most money.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that the average wage of an elementary school teacher is $63,930 in 2020. This means the elementary teachers make more than the average annual wage of all occupations ($53,490).
Now it’s obvious that salaries vary by location. Certain states offer higher average pay than others. If we talk about the top-paying state, elementary teachers are paid an average salary that is $18,900 more than the national average. Likewise, the lowest-paying state has an average salary that is $19,870 less than the national average.
So, it’s important for you to find a job in a high-paying state, especially if you’re an international teacher looking for a teaching job in the US.
Here is average elementary school teacher salary in the top 5 states:
- New York: $82,830
- California: $82,560
- Massachusetts: $82,450
- Connecticut: $82,450
- Alaska: $75,860
States like Oregon and Maryland have considerably increased the average elementary school teacher salary over the last five years. Teaching in Maryland will allow you to make somewhere around $75,380.
At the same time, we should mention some states with the lowest salaries for public school teachers. For example, teachers in Mississippi made an average of $45,574 in the 2018-2019 school year. Florida and South Dakota are also two of the lowest-paying states where elementary teachers don’t make as much compared to other states. So, where do you want to teach as an elementary school teacher?
How much money do middle school teachers make?
According to BLS’s latest data, the salary of an average middle school teacher is $63,550. The average annual income of elementary, middle, and high school teachers is more than the average annual wage for all occupations. On top of this, the average salary of school teachers in the US is increasing year-over-year. Here are the top 5 states where middle school teachers get the most salary:
- New York: $87,050
- Alaska: $80,730
- Massachusetts: $80,520
- California: $80,160
- Connecticut: $79,510
How much money do high school teachers make?
According to the U.S. News, an average high school teacher with more than five years of experience makes around $65,930. The same source found out that the following are the top 5 best-paying cities for high school teachers:
- Bakersfield, California: $97,680
- Fresno, California: $93,410
- San Francisco, California: $93,350
- El Centro, California: $90,970
- New York, New York: $90,050
If we look at the data, the high school teachers earn more than elementary and middle school teachers. Here is what BLS tells us about the top-five states in which high school teachers make the most money in 2020:
- New York: $87,240
- California: $85,080
- Massachusetts: $81,070
- Connecticut: $78,540
- New Jersey: $78,090
Some of the top-paying states witness high school teacher pay grow by more than 20% over the last five years. For example, the average high school teacher’s salary rose from $57,410 in 2014 to $71,780 in 2019. It is clear that an increasing number of states have realized the value a good teacher can bring to the table.
