Amid ongoing staffing shortages and expanding duties, teacher compensation is emerging as a central concern in education policy. Educators are being asked to do more than ever; they’re juggling complex student needs, addressing behavior issues influenced by social media, and stepping into roles traditionally filled by social service professionals. As responsibilities grow and support systems shrink, teachers understandably seek compensation that reflects their expertise and the critical work they do.
Unlike many other professions, teaching offers few opportunities for bonuses, promotions, or performance-based pay increases, making salary one of the few effective tools for recruitment and retention. As a result, competitive salaries are one of the few tools available for recruitment and retention. Yet even as expectations rise, teacher pay has not kept pace with the cost of living. Housing, healthcare, and grocery prices continue to climb, while salary growth has lagged. The national average starting salary for teachers is now $46,526, with the overall average at $72,030. That’s about 5 percent less in real terms than a decade ago. While some states have invested in raising teacher pay to attract and keep talent, others have fallen behind, deepening disparities across the country.
This article explores the highest- and lowest-paying states for teachers, adjusted for cost of living, and examines broader trends shaping compensation in the profession. Whether you’re a prospective teacher, a graduate student, or a veteran educator considering a move, this guide offers insights into where teacher pay is strongest—and why.
How Teacher Salaries Are Determined
Teacher salaries vary widely across the United States due to a combination of economic, political, and policy factors. Cost of living exerts a huge influence, for obvious reasons: a $70,000 salary goes much further in Arkansas than in California. To account for this, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis calculates Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which compare the cost of goods and services in different states to the national average. When teacher salaries are adjusted for RPPs, rankings of the highest-paying states often shift dramatically.
State and local education budgets also play a major role. States with higher tax revenues or a strong commitment to public education tend to offer more competitive pay. Unionization is another key factor: teachers in states with strong collective bargaining rights earn, on average, 24 percent more than those in states without such protections.
State-specific policies further shape compensation. Some states offer salary increases for advanced degrees or professional certifications, while others provide bonuses for teaching in high-need areas such as special education or STEM. Even within a single state, salaries can vary significantly from one district to another, meaning two teachers with similar qualifications may earn very different incomes depending on where they work. For example, teachers in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, earned an average salary of $67,083 in 2020-21; in Boston, the average salary was over $100,000.
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Teacher Salary State-by-State
The list below highlights the states with highest teacher salaries on 2025 average salary data. For context, the national average teacher salary is $72,030.
California: $101,084
California remains the highest-paying state for teachers, driven by strong union protections, a high cost of living, and significant state investment in retention efforts to combat teacher shortages. California also has the nation’s highest RPP (112.6 in 2023, the most recent year for which data are available).
New York: $95,615
New York teachers earn well above the national average. While high housing and transportation costs in cities like New York City reduce take-home value, the state consistently ranks near the top for educator pay. The state’s RPP of 107.6 ranks sixth-highest in the nation.
Massachusetts: $92,076
Massachusetts consistently ranks among the highest-paid teachers by state thanks to a long-standing commitment to education and competitive salaries. Graduates of Merrimack College’s educator preparation programs—approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education—are well-equipped for licensure and leadership roles in schools. Massachusetts’ RPP of 108.2 ranks fifth-highest in the US.
Washington: $91,720
Washington’s rising teacher salaries reflect efforts to address living costs and staffing shortages. Union advocacy has played a key role in securing these increases. Unsurprisingly, the state also ranks high in RPP; at 108.6, it is tied for the fourth-highest in the nation.
District of Columbia: $86,663
D.C. ranks high despite its small size, offering teachers strong collective bargaining rights and one of the highest per-student funding levels in the country. The district’s RPP of 110.8 is second only to California.
Connecticut: $86,511
Connecticut maintains competitive teacher pay through strong public-sector unions and a high cost of living that drives salary growth. An RPP of 103.7 helps that salary stretch a little farther.
Maryland: $84,338
Home to major school systems in Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs, Maryland offers competitive salaries supported by robust local funding and incentives for advanced degrees and hard-to-staff subjects. Maryland’s RPP is 104.0.
New Jersey: $82,877
Steady education funding and strong union contracts help keep New Jersey among the top-paying states for teachers. New Jersey’s RPP is 108.0.
Rhode Island: $82,189
Despite its small size, Rhode Island ranks high in teacher pay due to strong education funding and compact urban districts that enable resource concentration and competitive salaries. Rhode Island has an RPP of 101.4, placing it close to the national median of 100.
Alaska: $78,256
Alaska offers high teacher salaries to attract educators to its rural and remote communities, where recruitment and retention can be especially challenging. Alaska’s RPP is 101.7.
States With the Lowest Teacher Salaries
While some states have made strides in boosting teacher pay, many still fall well below the national average of $72,030. A combination of limited education funding, weak union protections, and policy decisions contributes to persistently low salaries in these states. The list below identifies the ten lowest-paying states.
Mississippi: $53,704
Consistently ranked at the bottom, Mississippi’s low teacher pay stems from limited education funding, population decline, and a lack of significant salary increases. The state’s RPP of 87.3 is the second-lowest in the nation.
Florida: $54,875
Limited collective bargaining rights and uneven district funding contribute to low compensation in Florida. A relatively high cost-of-living—the state’s RPP is 103.5—significantly compounds the problem.
Missouri: $55,132
Rural districts in Missouri struggle to offer competitive salaries due to limited local revenue and state funding, leading to high turnover as teachers seek better pay in neighboring states; both Kentucky and Iowa offer higher average salaries with comparable RPPs.
West Virginia: $55,516
West Virginia’s pay lags behind national averages, worsened by the state’s refusal to implement cost-of-living adjustments—especially problematic in higher-cost regions like the Eastern Panhandle. The state’s 89.8 RPP reflects lower costs in West Virginia’s vast rural and mountain regions.
Louisiana: $55,911
Low state funding, weak union protections, and disparities in local school revenues keep Louisiana among the lowest-paying states for teachers. The state’s RPP is 88.3.
South Dakota: $56,328
Minimal increases in state education aid and rising overhead costs have left South Dakota teachers with stagnant wages despite growing inflation. The state’s 88.1 RPP is the third-lowest in the nation.
Montana: $57,556
Montana’s teacher salaries are limited by state budget constraints, challenges in balancing costs across districts, and varying collective bargaining agreements that affect pay and benefits. Montana’s RPP is 90.2.
Kansas: $58,146
Kansas struggles to offer competitive salaries due to low per-pupil spending and high student-to-teacher ratios, limiting its ability to attract and retain educators. Kansas’ RPP is 90.0.
North Carolina: $58,292
Teacher pay in North Carolina is held back by restricted collective bargaining rights and disparities in local funding, making it difficult for districts to raise salaries. The state’s RPP is 94.1, with cost-of-living significantly higher in North Carolina’s growing metropolitan regions.
Kentucky: $58,325
Budget cuts and pension reforms have weakened Kentucky’s ability to offer attractive compensation. Reduced retirement benefits have further discouraged teacher retention. Kentucky’s RPP is 90.5.
These examples highlight how state-level funding decisions and policy environments directly impact teacher pay, often leaving educators in underfunded systems with limited earning potential.
Beyond Pay: Cost of Living and Benefits
A high salary doesn’t always translate to a higher standard of living. A teacher earning $95,000 in New York City may spend nearly half that income on housing, while a teacher in Texas making $65,000 could enjoy significantly more purchasing power. Regional differences in living costs can dramatically impact a teacher’s real income.
Adjusting salaries for cost of living using RPP offers a clearer comparison across states. For example, California’s RPP-adjusted average salary remains the highest at $89,773, but it only slightly exceeds New York’s adjusted average of $88,861. Meanwhile, Florida drops to the bottom at $52,019 after adjustment, while Mississippi rises to $61,516.
Benefits also play a crucial role in total compensation. In New York, teacher pensions average about $3,500 per month, compared to roughly $1,900 in Florida. Health insurance offerings vary widely as well. In California, insurance premiums are negotiated at the district level, and retiring teachers can continue coverage at their own expense. In contrast, Texas contributes just $75 per employee per month toward premiums, with districts required to add at least $150, leaving teachers to cover the remainder.
Some states offer additional incentives. New York’s Teach NYC program provides up to $15,000 in housing support over two years for teachers who commit to working in high-need schools for at least three years. California also offers stipends and housing assistance in some districts. Mississippi, by comparison, offers few benefits beyond base salary, and its Public Employees’ Retirement System is among the weakest in the nation, leaving many teachers with inadequate retirement income.
When comparing teacher salaries by state, it’s essential to look beyond base pay. Factoring in the cost of living and benefits can reveal thousands of dollars in real compensation differences each year.
Trends to Watch in 2025–2026
Teacher pay and education policies are evolving rapidly as states work to address staffing shortages and improve retention. In the past year alone, states like Oklahoma (10.5 percent), Idaho (9.1 percent), and Utah (8.9 percent) have implemented significant salary increases in response to these challenges.
Union negotiations remain a key driver of wage growth, with teachers in collective bargaining states earning substantially more than those in states without such protections. At the same time, lawmakers are testing performance-based pay models and offering targeted bonuses in high-demand areas like STEM and special education. While sometimes controversial, these strategies reflect ongoing efforts to make teaching more competitive amid a tight labor market.
Despite recent gains, teacher salaries in many states still lag behind those of professionals with similar education levels, making recruitment and retention increasingly difficult. Analysts expect continued, if uneven, compensation growth in the coming years, though progress may be slowed by state budget constraints and ongoing debates over school funding.
How Graduate Education Impacts Teacher Pay
Earning an advanced degree is one of the most reliable ways for teachers to increase their income. Most states and school districts offer salary bumps for master’s degrees or equivalent graduate credits.
According to the NCTQ Teacher Contract Database:
- In a teacher’s first year, a master’s degree yields an average salary increase of $2,760.
- At the top of the pay scale, that difference grows to an average of $7,358 annually.
- In some districts, the gap is even wider. In Montgomery County, Maryland, top-scale teachers with a master’s degree earn $36,716 more than those with only a bachelor’s.
Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree is a proven strategy to boost earning potential and open doors to leadership and specialized teaching roles. Merrimack College’s graduate programs are designed to help educators enhance their skills, qualify for higher pay, and align with state and district salary structures that reward advanced credentials.
Navigating Teaching Careers Across States
Teacher pay differs widely across the United States. States with the highest teacher salaries tend to offer strong, competitive compensation, while others fall behind even as the demand for qualified educators grows. Cost of living and benefits can significantly affect how far a salary goes, and earning an advanced degree remains one of the most effective ways to boost income and open up new career opportunities.
Educators looking to take the next step can explore Merrimack’s graduate education programs, connect with an advisor, or begin an application to build a stronger future in teaching.