The national median salary for a high school teacher is $69,290 per year and for an elementary school teacher is $65,590 according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. These are public school figures. State and district matter enormously — California teachers average $95,480, more than double Mississippi’s $47,160.
Teacher Salary by State 2026
The table below shows average annual wages for public school teachers by state. High school salaries are generally $2,000–$5,000 higher than elementary within the same state due to subject expertise requirements.
| State | Avg. Elementary Salary | Avg. High School Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $54,170 | $56,260 |
| Alaska | $72,490 | $74,410 |
| Arizona | $56,870 | $58,520 |
| Arkansas | $51,360 | $52,980 |
| California | $95,480 | $97,750 |
| Colorado | $60,240 | $62,430 |
| Connecticut | $82,360 | $84,110 |
| Delaware | $71,040 | $72,560 |
| Florida | $53,460 | $55,430 |
| Georgia | $59,130 | $61,080 |
| Hawaii | $65,270 | $67,190 |
| Idaho | $50,420 | $52,180 |
| Illinois | $72,150 | $74,630 |
| Indiana | $54,280 | $56,390 |
| Iowa | $55,440 | $57,180 |
| Kansas | $53,620 | $55,440 |
| Kentucky | $54,320 | $56,170 |
| Louisiana | $51,810 | $53,440 |
| Maine | $57,840 | $59,760 |
| Maryland | $76,980 | $78,540 |
| Massachusetts | $87,840 | $89,200 |
| Michigan | $65,780 | $67,920 |
| Minnesota | $67,530 | $69,140 |
| Mississippi | $47,160 | $47,580 |
| Missouri | $51,920 | $53,540 |
| Montana | $53,870 | $55,610 |
| Nebraska | $55,890 | $57,470 |
| Nevada | $60,440 | $62,110 |
| New Hampshire | $60,190 | $62,430 |
| New Jersey | $82,560 | $84,390 |
| New Mexico | $54,970 | $56,820 |
| New York | $90,510 | $92,240 |
| North Carolina | $54,680 | $56,430 |
| North Dakota | $53,590 | $55,280 |
| Ohio | $61,090 | $63,470 |
| Oklahoma | $49,410 | $51,120 |
| Oregon | $71,540 | $73,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,280 | $75,360 |
| Rhode Island | $74,510 | $76,840 |
| South Carolina | $53,770 | $55,610 |
| South Dakota | $48,570 | $50,280 |
| Tennessee | $54,040 | $55,890 |
| Texas | $58,270 | $60,410 |
| Utah | $54,790 | $56,490 |
| Vermont | $62,890 | $64,830 |
| Virginia | $61,340 | $63,790 |
| Washington | $81,200 | $83,490 |
| West Virginia | $47,290 | $49,050 |
| Wisconsin | $62,410 | $64,280 |
| Wyoming | $64,680 | $66,470 |
| Washington, D.C. | $82,970 | $85,210 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024. Public school teachers.
Teacher Pay by Experience Level
Most public school districts use a salary schedule (also called a salary scale) that pays teachers based on years of experience (steps) and education level (lanes):
| Experience | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 year | $40,000–$52,000 | $44,000–$57,000 |
| 5 years | $47,000–$62,000 | $52,000–$67,000 |
| 10 years | $55,000–$72,000 | $60,000–$79,000 |
| 20 years | $65,000–$85,000 | $72,000–$93,000 |
| 30 years | $72,000–$98,000 | $79,000–$107,000 |
Ranges reflect variation across states. California, New York, and Massachusetts teachers fall near the top; Mississippi, Oklahoma, and South Dakota fall near the bottom.
Teacher Benefits: The Full Compensation Picture
Salary alone understates teacher compensation because of pension and benefit packages:
- Defined-benefit pension: Most public teachers receive a pension worth 1.5–2.5% of final salary per year of service. A teacher with 30 years earning $70,000 receives a pension of $31,500–$52,500 per year for life.
- Health insurance: Most districts pay 80–100% of health insurance premiums — worth $8,000–$18,000 per year in avoided cost.
- Job security: Tenure (usually after 2–5 years) provides strong protections against layoff.
- Summers off: 10–12 weeks of unpaid leave that many teachers use to supplement income with tutoring, summer programs, or second jobs.
Worked Example: Texas Teacher Take-Home Pay
A 5th-year Texas teacher with a bachelor’s degree earning $58,270 per year:
- Gross monthly: $4,856
- Federal income tax (22% bracket, single): ~$595/month
- FICA (7.65%): ~$371/month
- Texas state income tax: $0
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) contribution (8% of salary): ~$388/month
- Health insurance premium (employee share): ~$200/month
- Estimated net take-home: ~$3,302/month (~$39,620/year)
Note: The TRS contribution builds future pension value, so it’s deferred compensation, not lost money.
How to Increase Your Teacher Salary
- Earn a master’s degree. Most districts pay a “master’s lane” premium of $3,000–$8,000 per year. If you plan to teach for 20+ years, this can add $60,000–$160,000 over a career.
- Move to a higher-paying district. Districts within the same state can vary by $10,000–$20,000 for the same step on the salary schedule.
- Take on extra duties. Department chair, curriculum coordinator, and coaching stipends typically add $1,500–$6,000 per year.
- Move to a higher-paying state. Moving from Mississippi to California can double your base salary.
- Become a principal or administrator. School principals earn $90,000–$130,000 nationally; superintendents earn $120,000–$250,000+.
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