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Only one US state pays teachers an average of 6 figures. See how much teachers make in every state.

June 22, 2026
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Only one US state pays teachers an average of 6 figures. See how much teachers make in every state.
Teacher instructing students at Price Elementary School in Anaheim, California.
California pays teachers the highest average salary in the country. MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images/MediaNews Group via Getty Images
  • Teacher pay varies widely across the 50 US states and Washington, DC.
  • California pays teachers the most, providing them with an average salary of $103,552 in 2024-2025.
  • Teachers in California make nearly double what teachers in Mississippi make on average.

Many people consider public school teachers to have one of the most important jobs.

But while teaching is the most common public-sector job, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many educators still struggle to make ends meet. A 2025 Gallup poll found that 21% of polled K-12 educators said they were “finding it difficult to get by on their present income,” while 52% reported they were just getting by rather than living comfortably.

A third of K-12 teachers also reported having non-teaching-related jobs, “such as ride-sharing, food service or running a side business,” the poll found.

For many teachers, their salaries simply aren’t enough, and, due to differences in affordability, housing prices, and tax structures, teacher salaries — and how far they go — vary widely across the country.

In April, the National Education Association released its Rankings of the States 2025 and Estimates of School Statistics 2026 report, which included data such as the number of school districts, student enrollment and attendance, and education expenditures in every state and Washington, DC.

The report also listed the average salaries of public school teachers in 2024-2025, as well as the change in pay from the previous year. For a few states — Connecticut, Montana, and Rhode Island — and Washington, DC, the NEA relied on salary estimates.

Per the report, the state where teachers received the largest average year-over-year raise was Nevada. Though its average salary in 2024-2025 ranked 17th in the country, it grew by roughly $8,000, or about 11.8%, from 2023-24. By contrast, teachers in Oklahoma received a 1% average raise, about $600.

See the average public school teacher salary in every state and Washington, DC.

We also listed how much the average salary increased year-over-year and how the state’s average salary ranked among all other states and Washington, DC, with No. 1 being the highest salary and 51 the lowest.

ALABAMA

School buses lined up
School buses in Wilmer, Alabama. Carmen K. Sisson/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $62,985

Change from 2023-2024: 1.73% increase

Rank: 35

ALASKA

A public school building in Nenana, Alaska.
A public school building in Nenana, Alaska. Jeremy Hammond/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $81,450

Change from 2023-2024: 4.1% increase

Rank: 11

ARIZONA

Teacher instructing a class at Nevitt Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona.
Nevitt Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona. OLIVIER TOURON/AFP via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $64,291

Change from 2023-2024: 2.5% increase

Rank: 31

ARKANSAS

Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Adele Heidenreich/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $59,193

Change from 2023-2024: 1.5% increase

Rank: 45

CALIFORNIA

A teacher instructing kindergarten students in Rosita Elementary School in Santa Ana, California.
Rosita Elementary School in Santa Ana, California. MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $103,552

Change from 2023-2024: 2.4% increase

Rank: 1

COLORADO

US and Colorado flags outside of East High School in Denver, Colorado.
East High School in Denver, Colorado. Katie Wood/Denver Post via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $72,781

Change from 2023-2024: 6% increase

Rank: 19

CONNECTICUT

Teacher walking with students in Pleasant Valley Elementary School in South Windsor, Connecticut.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School in South Windsor, Connecticut. Connecticut Post/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $89,593

Change from 2023-2024: 3.6% increase

Rank: 6

DELAWARE

Exterior of Henry C. Conrad High School in Wilmington Delaware.
Henry C. Conrad High School in Wilmington Delaware. Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $76,570

Change from 2023-2024: 7.6% increase

Rank: 14

FLORIDA

Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida.
Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida. John Parra/WireImage/The Latin Recording Academy via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $56,663

Change from 2023-2024: 3.3% increase

Rank: 50

GEORGIA

Buford High School in Buford, Georgia.
Buford High School in Buford, Georgia. Chad Robertson Media/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $71,524

Change from 2023-2024: 5.7% increase

Rank: 21

HAWAII

Teacher in front of students in Oahu, Hawaii.
Classroom in Oahu, Hawaii. Phil Mislinski/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $75,860

Change from 2023-2024: 2.2% increase

Rank: 16

IDAHO

Exterior of Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho.
Lewiston High School in Lewiston, Idaho. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $62,786

Change from 2023-2024: 2.1% increase

Rank: 36

ILLINOIS

Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $78,495

Change from 2023-2024: 3.3% increase

Rank: 13

INDIANA

Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Valparaiso High School in Valparaiso, Indiana. KK Stock/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $61,661

Change from 2023-2024: 5.2% increase

Rank: 38

IOWA

Students boarding buses at Denison High School in Denison, Iowa.
Denison High School in Denison, Iowa. Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $65,312

Change from 2023-2024: 4.7% increase

Rank: 30

KANSAS

Aerial view of Topeka High School in Topeka, Kansas.
Topeka High School in Topeka, Kansas. Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $61,470

Change from 2023-2024: 5.5% increase

Rank: 39

KENTUCKY

Front of Valley High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
Valley High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Jon Cherry/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $60,594

Change from 2023-2024: 3.9% increase

Rank: 42

LOUISIANA

students outside McMain High School in New Orleans, Louisiana.
McMain High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $56,785

Change from 2023-2024: 1.6% increase

Rank: 49

MAINE

Teacher instructs students in Crooked River Elementary School in Casco, Maine.
Crooked River Elementary School in Casco, Maine. Portland Press Herald/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $65,621

Change from 2023-2024: 4.9% increase

Rank: 29

MARYLAND

Teacher leading students in head start classroom in Frederick, Maryland.
Head start classroom in Frederick, Maryland. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $87,409

Change from 2023-2024: 3.6% increase

Rank: 7

MASSACHUSETTS

Students outside of Boston Latin Academy in Boston, Massachusetts.
Boston Latin Academy in Boston, Massachusetts. Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $93,554

Change from 2023-2024: 2.8% increase

Rank: 5

MICHIGAN

Students eating in cafeteria in Northern High School Port Huron, Michigan.
Cafeteria in Northern High School Port Huron, Michigan. Dennis MacDonald/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $71,023

Change from 2023-2024: 2.8% increase

Rank: 22

MINNESOTA

Hibbing High School in Hibbing, Minnesota.
Hibbing High School in Hibbing, Minnesota. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $76,234

Change from 2023-2024: 5.3% increase

Rank: 15

MISSISSIPPI

Heidelberg High School in Heidelberg, Mississippi.
Heidelberg High School in Heidelberg, Mississippi. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $54,975

Change from 2023-2024: 2.4% increase

Rank: 51

MISSOURI

Sign outside of Central High School in Springfield, Missouri.
Central High School in Springfield, Missouri. Kit Leong/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $57,366

Change from 2023-2024: 4% increase

Rank: 48

MONTANA

Basin Elementary School in Basin, Montana.
Basin Elementary School in Basin, Montana. Janie Osborne/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $59,305

Change from 2023-2024: 3% increase

Rank: 44

NEBRASKA

Omaha Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
Omaha Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo Spirit/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $63,326

Change from 2023-2024: 5.1% increase

Rank: 34

NEVADA

Foothill High School in Henderson, Nevada.
Foothill High School in Henderson, Nevada. Katherine Carey/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $74,812

Change from 2023-2024: 11.8% increase

Rank: 17

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Bedford High School in Bedford, New Hampshire.
Bedford High School in Bedford, New Hampshire. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $69,432

Change from 2023-2024: 3.4% increase

Rank: 25

NEW JERSEY

Woodstown Pilesgrove High School in Woodstown, New Jersey.
Woodstown Pilesgrove High School in Woodstown, New Jersey. EQRoy/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $84,974

Change from 2023-2024: 2.5% increase

Rank: 9

NEW MEXICO

Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Brendan SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $69,736

Change from 2023-2024: 1.9% increase

Rank: 24

NEW YORK

J.H.S. 088 Peter Rouget school in Brooklyn, New York.
J.H.S. 088 Peter Rouget school in Brooklyn, New York. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $98,655

Change from 2023-2024: 3.2% increase

Rank: 2

NORTH CAROLINA

Public school in Franklinton, North Carolina.
Public school in Franklinton, North Carolina. Wileydoc/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $60,323

Change from 2023-2024: 3.5% increase

Rank: 43

NORTH DAKOTA

Aerial view of Dickinson High School in Dickinson, North Dakota.
Dickinson High School in Dickinson, North Dakota. LiftedFairingLLC/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $60,704

Change from 2023-2024: 3.6% increase

Rank: 41

OHIO

Students raise their hands at Mount Washington Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Mount Washington Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Joey Foley/WireImage for NARAS via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $70,586

Change from 2023-2024: 3.4% increase

Rank: 23

OKLAHOMA

Front of Booker T Washington Magnet High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Booker T Washington Magnet High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Vineyard Perspective/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $61,931

Change from 2023-2024: 1% increase

Rank: 37

OREGON

Aerial view of Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Oregon.
Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Oregon. Hrach Hovhannisyan/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $81,657

Change from 2023-2024: 5.9% increase

Rank: 10

PENNSYLVANIA

Teacher instructing at Building 21, a public high school in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Building 21, a public high school in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Michelle Gustafson for The Washington Post

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $79,078

Change from 2023-2024: 2.8% increase

Rank: 12

RHODE ISLAND

Central Falls High School in Central Falls, Rhode Island.
Central Falls High School in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Boston Globe via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $85,772

Change from 2023-2024: 4.4% increase

Rank: 8

SOUTH CAROLINA

Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Fort Mill High School in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Steven Starr Photography/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $64,050

Change from 2023-2024: 5.4% increase

Rank: 32

SOUTH DAKOTA

Newell High School in Newell, South Carolina.
Newell High School in Newell, South Carolina. Victoria Ditkovsky/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $58,486

Change from 2023-2024: 3.8% increase

Rank: 46

TENNESSEE

Hume Fogg High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
Hume Fogg High School in Nashville, Tennessee. Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $61,222

Change from 2023-2024: 4.5% increase

Rank: 40

TEXAS

Klein Cain High School in Houston, Texas.
Klein Cain High School in Houston, Texas. Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $63,749

Change from 2023-2024: 2.1% increase

Rank: 33

UTAH

Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. M Outdoors/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $72,882

Change from 2023-2024: 5.4% increase

Rank: 18

VERMONT

Snow-covered South Burlington High School in Burlington, Vermont.
South Burlington High School in Burlington, Vermont. Bob LoCicero/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $71,871

Change from 2023-2024: 3.3% increase

Rank: 20

VIRGINIA

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia. John M. Chase/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $69,254

Change from 2023-2024: 4.4% increase

Rank: 26

WASHINGTON

Students leave Thurgood Marshal Elementary school in Seattle, Washington.
Students leave Thurgood Marshal Elementary school in Seattle, Washington. John Moore/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $96,589

Change from 2023-2024: 5.3% increase

Rank: 3

WASHINGTON, DC

Ulysses S. Grant School in Washington, DC.
Ulysses S. Grant School in Washington, DC. bluestork/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $95,077

Change from 2023-2024: 9.7% increase

Rank: 4

WEST VIRGINIA

Aerial view of Frankfort High School in Short Gap, West Virginia.
Frankfort High School in Short Gap, West Virginia. Dennis Ray Dennison II/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $58,099

Change from 2023-2024: 5.1% increase

Rank: 47

WISCONSIN

Fond du Lac High School in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Fond du Lac High School in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Aaron of L.A. Photography/Shutterstock

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $67,794

Change from 2023-2024: 3.1% increase

Rank: 27

WYOMING

Torrington High School in Torrington, Wyoming.
Torrington High School in Torrington, Wyoming. Al Drago/Getty Images

Average public school teacher salary (2024-2025): $65,668

Change from 2023-2024: 3.1% increase

Rank: 28

Read the original article on Business Insider

The post Only one US state pays teachers an average of 6 figures. See how much teachers make in every state. appeared first on Business Insider.

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