How Much Do Teachers Make

Teacher salaries across the United States

National averages for teacher pay

• Average teacher salary: $71,699 for the 2023-24 school year, showing how much teachers make on average
• Average starting salary: $44,530 for new teachers in 2024, indicating initial teacher pay
• Teacher salaries have increased by 3.1% from the previous year
• After adjusting for inflation, teachers make 5% less on average than they did 10 years ago, affecting overall teacher pay

Teacher salary ranges by state

• Highest paying states for teachers:

  • New York: $92,222
  • Massachusetts: $88,903
  • California: $87,275

• Lowest paying states for teachers:

  • Mississippi: $47,162
  • South Dakota: $49,761

• Only 16% of districts employ at least one teacher who makes more than $100,000 a year

Factors affecting how much teachers make

Geographic location

• Urban vs. rural differences: Urban teachers typically earn 12% more than rural teachers before cost-of-living adjustments
• After accounting for cost of living, the urban-rural wage gap shrinks to about 3%
• In some states, like North Carolina, rural areas may offer higher cost-of-living-adjusted wages

Experience and education impact on teacher salary

• Salary schedules often provide increases based on years of experience and additional education
• Teachers with master's degrees earn on average $5,000 more per year, boosting their overall pay

Special education teacher pay

• Special education teachers in Maryland earn the highest average salary at $76,282 per year
• The national average salary for special education teachers is $54,290

Cost of living considerations for teacher pay

Housing affordability for teachers

• In 15 major cities, renting a one-bedroom home is unaffordable for beginning teachers
• In some areas, even experienced teachers struggle with housing costs:
  • Los Angeles: Homeownership costs exceed 50% of a teacher's salary after 20 years of experience
  • Miami: Even highest-paid teachers would spend over a third of their salaries on housing

Regional variations in teacher salaries

• Rural areas often offer lower salaries but may have lower living costs
• Some urban districts provide cost-of-living adjustments, but these may not fully offset higher expenses

Strategies to increase how much teachers make

• Performance pay and incentives: Some states offer differentiated pay for hard-to-staff schools and subjects
• Housing incentives: Some districts provide reduced rent, down payment assistance, or reduced mortgage rates
• Negotiation: Some districts allow for salary negotiations based on experience, qualifications, and additional responsibilities, potentially increasing teacher pay

FAQ

How much do teachers make on average in the United States?

The average teacher salary in the U.S. is $71,699 for the 2023-24 school year. However, this varies widely by state, with Mississippi having the lowest average at $47,162 and New York the highest at $92,222.

What is the starting salary for new teachers?

The average starting salary for new teachers in the U.S. is $44,530 in 2024. This is significantly lower than the overall average teacher pay, reflecting the salary progression based on experience and education.

How does teacher pay vary by state?

Teacher salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying states for teachers are New York ($92,222), Massachusetts ($88,903), and California ($87,275). The lowest-paying states are Mississippi ($47,162) and South Dakota ($49,761).

Has teacher pay increased over time?

While teacher salaries have increased by 3.1% from the previous year, after adjusting for inflation, teachers make 5% less on average than they did 10 years ago. This indicates that despite nominal increases, real teacher pay has decreased over time.

How does location affect teacher salary?

Location significantly impacts teacher pay. Urban teachers typically earn 12% more than rural teachers before cost-of-living adjustments. However, after accounting for living expenses, this gap shrinks to about 3%. Some states may offer higher cost-of-living-adjusted wages in rural areas.