How much are teachers earning in America?
We compare average teacher salaries in each state, plus the salary difference between public and private schools as well as primary and secondary schools.
Average Teacher Salaries in Each State
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Click on the state names in the table to view the Best Places to Teach ranking for that state:
| State | Average Starting Salary | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
StateAlabama | Average Starting Salary$38,477 | Average Salary$48,868 |
StateAlaska | Average Starting Salary$46,785 | Average Salary$68,138 |
StateArizona | Average Starting Salary$34,068 | Average Salary$47,403 |
StateArkansas | Average Starting Salary$33,973 | Average Salary$48,616 |
StateCalifornia | Average Starting Salary$44,782 | Average Salary$78,711 |
StateColorado | Average Starting Salary$32,980 | Average Salary$46,506 |
StateConnecticut | Average Starting Salary$45,280 | Average Salary$72,561 |
StateDelaware | Average Starting Salary$41,415 | Average Salary$60,214 |
StateDistrict of Columbia | Average Starting Salary$51,359 | Average Salary$76,131 |
StateFlorida | Average Starting Salary$37,405 | Average Salary$49,407 |
StateGeorgia | Average Starting Salary$34,872 | Average Salary$54,602 |
StateHawaii | Average Starting Salary$45,963 | Average Salary$57,674 |
StateIdaho | Average Starting Salary$33,743 | Average Salary$47,504 |
StateIllinois | Average Starting Salary$38,820 | Average Salary$61,602 |
StateIndiana | Average Starting Salary$35,241 | Average Salary$50,554 |
StateIowa | Average Starting Salary$35,766 | Average Salary$55,443 |
StateKansas | Average Starting Salary$34,883 | Average Salary$47,984 |
StateKentucky | Average Starting Salary$36,494 | Average Salary$52,339 |
StateLouisiana | Average Starting Salary$40,128 | Average Salary$50,000 |
StateMaine | Average Starting Salary$33,876 | Average Salary$51,077 |
StateMaryland | Average Starting Salary$44,675 | Average Salary$66,961 |
StateMassachusetts | Average Starting Salary$44,726 | Average Salary$77,804 |
StateMichigan | Average Starting Salary$36,234 | Average Salary$62,200 |
StateMinnesota | Average Starting Salary$37,644 | Average Salary$57,346 |
StateMississippi | Average Starting Salary$34,780 | Average Salary$42,925 |
StateMissouri | Average Starting Salary$31,842 | Average Salary$48,293 |
StateMontana | Average Starting Salary$30,036 | Average Salary$51,422 |
StateNebraska | Average Starting Salary$33,854 | Average Salary$52,338 |
StateNevada | Average Starting Salary$37,973 | Average Salary$57,376 |
StateNew Hampshire | Average Starting Salary$36,845 | Average Salary$57,253 |
StateNew Jersey | Average Starting Salary$51,179 | Average Salary$69,623 |
StateNew Mexico | Average Starting Salary$34,544 | Average Salary$47,500 |
StateNew York | Average Starting Salary$44,935 | Average Salary$79,637 |
StateNorth Carolina | Average Starting Salary$37,514 | Average Salary$49,837 |
StateNorth Dakota | Average Starting Salary$38,032 | Average Salary$51,618 |
StateOhio | Average Starting Salary$35,249 | Average Salary$57,000 |
StateOklahoma | Average Starting Salary$31,919 | Average Salary$45,245 |
StateOregon | Average Starting Salary$35,534 | Average Salary$61,631 |
StatePennsylvania | Average Starting Salary$44,144 | Average Salary$65,863 |
StateRhode Island | Average Starting Salary$41,481 | Average Salary$66,477 |
StateSouth Carolina | Average Starting Salary$33,057 | Average Salary$48,598 |
StateSouth Dakota | Average Starting Salary$37,419 | Average Salary$42,668 |
StateTennessee | Average Starting Salary$36,402 | Average Salary$48,456 |
StateTexas | Average Starting Salary$40,725 | Average Salary$52,575 |
StateUtah | Average Starting Salary$35,722 | Average Salary$47,244 |
StateVermont | Average Starting Salary$38,483 | Average Salary$60,187 |
StateVirginia | Average Starting Salary$39,398 | Average Salary$51,049 |
StateWashington | Average Starting Salary$40,426 | Average Salary$54,147 |
StateWest Virginia | Average Starting Salary$33,684 | Average Salary$45,701 |
StateWisconsin | Average Starting Salary$36,983 | Average Salary$54,998 |
StateWyoming | Average Starting Salary$45,207 | Average Salary$58,650 |
The national average starting teacher salary is $38,617, while the average teacher salary in America (non-starting) is $58,950.
Montana has the lowest starting salary: $30,036, while D.C. has the highest starting salary: $51,359. New York has the highest average teacher salary: $79,637 and South Dakota has the lowest: $42,668.
Average Teacher Salaries: Private vs. Public School
Average Salary by Years Experience
| Years Experience | Public | Private |
|---|---|---|
Years Experience1 | Public$40,540 | Private$29,940 |
Years Experience2-4 | Public$41,480 | Private$33,540 |
Years Experience5-9 | Public$47,300 | Private$37,220 |
Years Experience10-14 | Public$54,860 | Private$40,440 |
Years Experience15-19 | Public$58,880 | Private$44,820 |
Years Experience20-24 | Public$60,930 | Private$48,170 |
Years Experience25-29 | Public$63,780 | Private$47,070 |
Years Experience30+ | Public$64,820 | Private$50,390 |
Surprisingly, teacher salaries are higher overall at public schools, rather than at private schools.
Comparing primary vs. secondary school salaries
Public schools
Average secondary school teacher base salary: $53,520 Average primary school teacher base salary: $52,620
Private Schools
Average secondary school teacher base salary: $44,720 Average primary school teacher base salary: $36,260
Continue Your Research
Want to see the schools in American where teachers are treated well? We ranked the best places to teach in America. Check it out!
Sources
NEA 2016-2017 Average Starting Salaries by State NCES Estimated average salary of teachers in public elementary and secondary schools, by state, 2016-2017 NCESAverage salaries for full-time teachers in public and private elementary and secondary schools, 2011-2012, which is the most current data available for both the public and private sector
Author: Alex Caffee
Former Marketing and Business Analyst at Niche. Dessert aficionado. Currently living and working in New York City.
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