%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
It’s no secret that teachers shape future generations. That said, not all classrooms come with the same paycheck. Where you work can make a big difference—and so does the grade you teach, with high school teachers usually see the biggest payouts.
- A Brief Look Inside the Research
- The Average Teacher Wages, Revealed
- The 10 States With the Highest High School Teacher Salaries
- The States With the Lowest High School Teacher Salaries
A Brief Look Inside the Research
USAFacts conducted a study to compile the information in the graphics below, based on an analysis of wages within the Elementary and Secondary Education industry. USAFacts sourced that information from the National Center for Education Statistics.
The team also relied on some data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for annual teaching wages that reflect full-time and year-round positions. Keep in mind that the data doesn’t consider differences in work schedule, experience, or cost of living across individuals. USAFacts had to use Regional Price Parities from the Bureau of Economic Analysis to adjust wages based on the regional cost of living expenses.
Also note that wages for special education teachers who care for kindergarten and elementary school students were regarded as one category. In addition, Colorado is not included in the below infographics because of data quality issues reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
You May Also Like:
- The 20 Most Memorable Teachers in TV History
- 13 Secrets of Substitute Teachers
- These Are the Top 25 Highest Paying Jobs in the U.S. Right Now
The Average Teacher Wages, Revealed
According to the USAFacts, estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics determined the median salary for pre-K-12 teachers in the U.S. was $63,000 in 2024. Those in the lowest 10 percent made about $46,800 or less, whereas those in the highest 10 percent bracket made $102,000 or more. Factors such as school funding, local policies, and labor markets significantly influence the compensation of educators across states.
Among the states with the lowest median wages for different educators, Oklahoma has finished last more than once. The state’s kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school teachers earn $47,600, $47,470, $48,210, and $49,150, respectively. Meanwhile, Washington boasts the highest salaries for adjusted pay among elementary ($91,000), middle ($91,000), and high school teachers ($92,000).
The 10 States With the Highest High School Teacher Salaries
High school educators tend to make the most money on average compared to other teachers. As mentioned above, Washington ranks the highest for adjusted pay among high school teacher wages, but a few other states, especially in the Northeast, follow closely behind. New York ($91,000), Rhode Island ($88,000), and California ($88,000) also pay these educators decently.
Rank | State | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
1 | Washington | $92,000 |
2 | New York | $91,000 |
3 | Rhode Island | $88,000 |
= | California | $88,000 |
5 | District of Columbia | $85,000 |
6 | Ohio | $84,000 |
7 | Pennsylvania | $80,000 |
8 | Utah | $78,000 |
9 | Illinois | $78,000 |
10 | Oregon | $76,000 |
= | Delaware | $76,000 |
= | Georgia | $76,000 |
The States With the Lowest High School Teacher Salaries
Meanwhile, the areas with the lowest wages are more scattered around the country.
Rank | State | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
1 | Missouri | $55,000 |
2 | Oklahoma | $56,000 |
= | South Dakota | $56,000 |
4 | Hawaii | $57,000 |
= | Mississippi | $57,000 |
= | Florida | $57,000 |
7 | Arizona | $59,000 |
= | North Carolina | $59,000 |
9 | West Virginia | $63,000 |
= | Virginia | $63,000 |
Read More About Jobs: