Teachers in the US earn $63,645 on average — but pay varies significantly by state, grade level, and years of experience.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for elementary school teachers, except special education, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| 25th | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| 50th (median) | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| 75th | $81,450 | $39.16 |
| 90th | $104,340 | $50.16 |
| Average (mean) | $72,650 | $34.93 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Teacher Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $72,650 |
| Median salary | $63,970 |
| Starting salary | $42,845 |
| After 10 years | $65,000 |
| After 20 years | $78,000 |
| Hourly equivalent | $30.60 |
Teacher Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $97,970 | $64,610 | $102,350 |
| 2 | California | $95,670 | $61,940 | $99,650 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $93,910 | $63,950 | $96,580 |
| 4 | New York | $93,400 | $56,760 | $85,760 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $88,720 | $60,620 | $94,000 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $83,380 | $58,870 | $80,600 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $82,120 | $61,840 | $78,200 |
| 8 | Maryland | $80,090 | $56,290 | $77,680 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $79,660 | $45,070 | $90,930 |
| 10 | Alaska | $78,580 | $62,140 | $79,260 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $75,780 | $51,990 | $77,060 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $74,790 | $48,870 | $76,350 |
| 13 | Illinois | $74,630 | $47,040 | $75,320 |
| 14 | Oregon | $74,370 | $48,500 | $77,130 |
| 15 | Utah | $73,630 | $49,610 | $74,810 |
| 16 | Delaware | $73,230 | $50,330 | $75,920 |
| 17 | Ohio | $72,740 | $47,680 | $77,370 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $72,170 | $58,120 | $74,550 |
| 19 | Virginia | $71,540 | $49,770 | $65,550 |
| 20 | Georgia | $70,720 | $49,260 | $72,290 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $70,670 | $55,210 | $71,410 |
| 22 | Colorado | $70,110 | $48,410 | $63,410 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $69,930 | $48,110 | $72,410 |
| 24 | Michigan | $69,000 | $47,670 | $65,110 |
| 25 | Vermont | $68,410 | $48,700 | $63,070 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $65,960 | $48,610 | $61,210 |
| 27 | Maine | $65,930 | $46,570 | $62,390 |
| 28 | Nevada | $65,840 | $49,560 | $65,040 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $63,730 | $46,700 | $62,380 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $63,630 | $51,630 | $61,150 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $62,210 | $48,410 | $60,820 |
| 32 | Texas | $61,890 | $48,500 | $62,760 |
| 33 | Idaho | $60,940 | $45,940 | $61,600 |
| 34 | Indiana | $60,850 | $47,330 | $59,700 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $59,870 | $45,600 | $60,610 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $59,850 | $48,100 | $59,980 |
| 37 | Alabama | $59,590 | $47,750 | $61,380 |
| 38 | Florida | $59,530 | $48,680 | $58,930 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $59,140 | $46,530 | $60,030 |
| 40 | Iowa | $59,110 | $47,260 | $60,580 |
| 41 | Arizona | $58,920 | $43,370 | $56,590 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $58,170 | $46,680 | $58,770 |
| 43 | Montana | $58,150 | $38,160 | $57,530 |
| 44 | Kansas | $56,730 | $47,700 | $56,450 |
| 45 | Missouri | $56,730 | $39,980 | $50,910 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $56,210 | $49,380 | $52,700 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $54,890 | $48,080 | $55,630 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $54,070 | $45,570 | $54,930 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $52,680 | $47,120 | $50,130 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $52,320 | $41,400 | $48,200 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $52,300 | $46,020 | $49,790 |
| — | National | $72,650 | $47,960 | $63,970 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Teacher Salary by Grade Level
| Level | Average Salary | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School | $61,350 | $42,000-$82,000 |
| Middle School | $62,280 | $43,000-$85,000 |
| High School | $64,915 | $44,000-$92,000 |
| Special Education | $64,200 | $45,000-$88,000 |
| School Principal | $103,460 | $75,000-$150,000 |
| School Superintendent | $159,000 | $100,000-$300,000 |
Teacher Salary by Subject (High School)
| Subject | Average Salary | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| STEM (Math/Science) | $68,000 | Very High |
| Special Education | $65,500 | Very High |
| English/Language Arts | $62,000 | Moderate |
| Social Studies | $61,500 | Low |
| Physical Education | $58,000 | Low |
| Art/Music | $56,000 | Low |
| Foreign Language | $63,000 | Moderate |
Teacher Salary by Experience
| Years Teaching | Average Salary | % Above Starting |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | $45,000 | — |
| 4-9 years | $52,000 | +16% |
| 10-14 years | $60,000 | +33% |
| 15-19 years | $67,000 | +49% |
| 20-24 years | $72,000 | +60% |
| 25+ years | $78,000 | +73% |
Teacher Benefits Package Value
| Benefit | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | $8,000-$15,000 |
| Pension contributions | 10-15% of salary |
| Summers off | ~10 weeks |
| Sick/personal days | 10-15 days |
| Professional development | $500-$2,000 |
| Total package value | +$15,000-$25,000 |
When factoring benefits, teacher compensation is often closer to $80,000-$90,000 in total value.
How to Increase Teacher Salary
- Earn a master’s degree — Adds $5,000-$15,000 annually
- Get National Board Certification — Adds $2,000-$10,000 depending on state
- Teach in high-demand subjects — STEM and special ed pay more
- Move to a higher-paying district — Suburban districts often pay more
- Take on extra duties — Coaching, club sponsorship, department head
- Pursue administrative roles — Principals earn 60%+ more
Teacher Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45,000 | $3,220 | $3,442 | $38,338 | $3,195 |
| $72,650 | $7,153 | $5,558 | $59,939 | $4,995 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $65,110 | $5,426 |
| $92,000 | $11,410 | $7,038 | $73,552 | $6,129 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
Is Teaching a Good Career?
Pros:
- Job security (tenure)
- Excellent benefits and pension
- Summers and holidays off
- Meaningful, impactful work
- Consistent schedule
Cons:
- Pay below other college-educated professions
- Take-home work (grading, planning)
- Classroom management challenges
- Limited salary growth ceiling
Bottom Line
Teachers earn $63,645 on average, ranging from $45,000 in low-paying states to $92,000+ in New York. The total compensation package (including pension and health benefits) adds significant value. Teaching pays best in the Northeast and California, and for those with advanced degrees in high-demand subjects.
Related Salary Guides
- Teacher (by state) salary
- Teacher Assistant salary
- Substitute Teacher salary
- Special Education Teacher salary
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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