The national median teacher salary is $61,350 in 2026, according to BLS data. But the state you teach in matters enormously — a teacher in New York earns twice as much as one in Mississippi. Experience, degree level, and subject area also add or subtract thousands per year. Below is the complete 50-state breakdown plus every variable that moves the number.
Teacher Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| 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 2026-08-25. 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
High school teachers earn more than elementary teachers on average, primarily because secondary credentials often require deeper subject expertise and districts compete more aggressively for STEM teachers.
| Level | National Average | Starting Salary | Top Salary (20+ years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | $38,000 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $61,000 | $42,000 | $82,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $62,500 | $43,000 | $84,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $63,500 | $44,000 | $86,000 |
| Special Education | $64,500 | $44,500 | $88,000 |
Teacher Salary by Subject (High School)
Subject-area shortages directly drive compensation. Math and science teachers are in chronic undersupply, which gives them more leverage in negotiations and makes them targets for district-funded incentive programs.
| Subject | Average Salary | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|
| STEM (Math/Science) | $67,000 | Very High |
| Special Education | $65,000 | Very High |
| Career/Technical Education | $64,000 | High |
| Foreign Language | $63,000 | Moderate |
| English/Language Arts | $62,000 | Moderate |
| Social Studies | $61,500 | Moderate |
| Physical Education | $60,500 | Moderate |
| Art/Music | $59,000 | Lower |
Teacher Salary by Experience
Most public school districts use a “step-and-lane” salary schedule: automatic annual raises (steps) for years of service, and column (lane) jumps for additional education. This makes salary advancement predictable but limits negotiation leverage for individual teachers.
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | % Increase from Start |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | $44,000 | Baseline |
| 4–9 years | $52,000 | +18% |
| 10–14 years | $61,000 | +39% |
| 15–19 years | $67,000 | +52% |
| 20–24 years | $72,000 | +64% |
| 25+ years | $76,000 | +73% |
Teacher Salary by Degree Level
Earning a master’s degree is the most reliable salary lever available to most teachers. Many districts offer a $5,000–$10,000 permanent column jump the moment you complete a qualifying degree.
| Education Level | Average Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | $57,000 | Baseline |
| Master’s degree | $65,000 | +14% |
| Master’s + 30 credits | $70,000 | +23% |
| Doctorate (Ed.D/Ph.D) | $75,000 | +32% |
| National Board Certified | +$5,000–$10,000 | Varies by state |
Teacher Salary vs. Cost of Living
A nominal salary comparison overstates the gap between high-paying and low-paying states. On a cost-of-living-adjusted basis, Pennsylvania and Illinois teachers have more purchasing power than California teachers despite earning $16,000–$21,000 less per year.
| State | Avg Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $71,000 | 94 | $75,500 |
| Illinois | $72,000 | 97 | $74,200 |
| New York | $92,000 | 123 | $74,800 |
| Michigan | $68,000 | 95 | $71,600 |
| Ohio | $64,000 | 93 | $68,800 |
Teacher Unions and Salary
Union membership significantly affects teacher pay and job security. States with strong collective bargaining rights tend to have higher average salaries, better step schedules, and more robust benefits.
| Factor | Union State | Non-Union / RTW State |
|---|---|---|
| Avg teacher salary | ~$65,000 | ~$55,000 |
| Salary schedule transparency | Required | Optional |
| Strike rights | Generally yes | Restricted |
| Benefits quality | Stronger | Variable |
The NEA and AFT are the two major national teacher unions. About 53% of K-12 public school teachers are members of a union.
Teacher Benefits Beyond Salary
Total compensation for teachers often runs 20–30% above the stated salary when benefits are included. The defined-benefit pension is particularly valuable — it guarantees a monthly income in retirement regardless of market performance.
| Benefit | Estimated Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Defined-benefit pension | $15,000–$30,000/yr | In retirement, varies by state |
| Health insurance | $8,000–$15,000/yr | Often heavily subsidized |
| Student loan forgiveness (PSLF) | Up to full balance | After 10 years at public school |
| Teacher Loan Forgiveness | Up to $17,500 | After 5 years at low-income school |
| Summer and holiday time | ~13 weeks/yr | Unpaid summer, paid breaks |
| Job security (tenure) | High | After 2–4 years in most states |
Teacher Pension vs. 403(b): Which Builds More Wealth?
Most public school teachers have access to both a defined benefit pension AND a 403(b) plan (the public sector equivalent of a 401(k)). Understanding how they work together is critical for retirement planning.
Defined Benefit Pension (Most Public Schools)
| Feature | Typical Public Teacher Pension |
|---|---|
| Contribution | 7-12% of salary (you) + employer match |
| Vesting | 5-10 years service |
| Benefit formula | 2-2.5% × years × final salary |
| 30-year teacher at $70k salary | $42,000-$52,500/year guaranteed for life |
| Social Security | 15 states exclude teachers from SS |
| Portability | Very limited; leave early = low payout |
403(b) Plan for Teachers
| Feature | Teacher 403(b) |
|---|---|
| 2026 contribution limit | $23,500 (under 50); $31,000 (50+) |
| Employer match | Varies by district (often none) |
| Investment options | Mutual funds, annuities |
| Portability | Fully portable |
| Best use | Supplement pension; bridge to age 55 |
Which States Exclude Teachers From Social Security?
15 states (including California, Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts, and Illinois) have their own pension systems instead of Social Security. In these states:
- You don’t pay Social Security taxes — but you don’t earn credits
- A substantial pension replaces what Social Security would have paid
- The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) reduces Social Security if you also worked other jobs
- The Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces spousal Social Security benefits
15 States Excluding Teachers From Social Security
Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas — if you teach in these states, you won’t earn Social Security credits for that work. Your pension must serve as your primary retirement income source, making the pension system’s health and your vesting status critically important to your financial plan.
For teachers in these 15 states, the pension is both more generous AND your sole retirement security — making vesting timeline and benefit formula critical factors in choosing where to teach.
How to Increase Teacher Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Earn a master’s degree | +$5,000–$15,000 |
| National Board Certification | +$5,000–$10,000 |
| Relocate to a higher-paying state | +$10,000–$40,000 |
| Move to a higher-paying district | +$5,000–$20,000 |
| Teach in-demand subjects (STEM, SpEd) | +$2,000–$8,000 |
| Coaching/extracurricular stipends | +$2,000–$10,000 |
| Summer school teaching | +$3,000–$8,000 |
| Curriculum or instructional design | +$1,000–$5,000 |
| Administrative certification (principal) | Path to $80K–$150K+ |
Teacher Shortage Areas
High-demand positions frequently come with signing bonuses, loan forgiveness top-ups, or district-funded tuition assistance for those willing to fill the gap.
- Special Education — nationwide shortage in virtually every state
- Mathematics — persistent shortage, especially secondary algebra and statistics
- Science — physics and chemistry most acute
- Bilingual/ESL — growing demand in high-immigration areas
- Rural districts — many offer housing stipends and relocation bonuses
The $250 Teacher Classroom Supply Deduction
Teachers who buy classroom supplies out-of-pocket can deduct up to $300 per educator ($600 for married educators who both teach) directly from income — not just as an itemized deduction. This above-the-line deduction is available even if you take the standard deduction. Eligible expenses include books, supplies, computer equipment, and COVID-19 protective items.
Teaching Salary Reality Check
| Hidden Cost | Annual Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-pocket classroom supplies | $500–$1,000 | $250 is federally deductible |
| Unpaid work hours | 10–20 hrs/week | Planning, grading, parent comms |
| Required graduate coursework | $10,000–$30,000 total | Spread over 5–8 years |
| Professional development | $0–$500 | Sometimes district-covered |
Related: Average Teacher Salary | Income Percentile Calculator | Side Income Ideas for Teachers
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Elementary School Teachers.” bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
- National Education Association. “Rankings of the States 2025 and Estimates of School Statistics.” nea.org/resource-library/rankings-states-2025
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