Most teachers do not enter their profession with salary as a top consideration, but it certainly influences the jobs they pursue. Teachers in Massachusetts enjoy the benefits of the state ranking high among the top paying states for teachers.

It’s no coincidence that the state also ranks in the top 10 states for teachers based on student-to-teacher ratios and strong teacher quality assessments. Massachusetts also ranks well in quality of living, including access to healthcare, a strong economy, and plentiful places to enjoy the state’s natural beauty.

However, salary figures provide a single number representing how highly a state regards its teachers. In Massachusetts, teachers earn more money than in almost every other state.

How Massachusetts Teacher Pay Compares to Other States

Multiple sources track the top paying states for teachers. One of the best-known is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a federal agency that compiles data on the U.S. workforce. That data includes average salaries for professions in every state.

According to data from May 2021, Massachusetts ranks high for teacher salaries. What’s even more impressive is that this high ranking is consistent throughout every level of education.

The following lists the top paying states for teachers at the kindergarten, elementary, middle school, and high school levels:

Kindergarten teachers

  • California:  $85,760
  • Massachusetts: $85,470
  • New York: $84,530
  • Connecticut: $80,410
  • Oregon: $77,920

The national average pay for kindergarten teachers is $64,490.

Elementary school teachers

  • New York: $87,700
  • California: $86,470
  • Massachusetts: $83,790
  • Washington: $ 83,010
  • Connecticut: $82,140

The national average pay for elementary school teachers is $67,080.

Middle school teachers

  • New York: $94,690
  • California: $92,350
  • Massachusetts: $85,740
  • Washington: $83,460
  • Connecticut: $82,790

The national average pay for middle school teachers is $66,880.

High school teachers

  • California: $94,600
  • New York: $92,660
  • Massachusetts: $85,360
  • Washington: $85,260
  • Connecticut: $79,530

The national average pay for high school teachers is $69,530.

World Population Review also lists the top paying states for teachers. While not broken out by level of education, the site reports that Massachusetts teachers make an average salary of $82,042, ranked third in the country behind New York and California.

The state provides a list for those curious about what school districts pay the best within Massachusetts.

The Value of a Master’s Degree

Massachusetts teachers who earn an online Master of Education degree enjoy many career-boosting benefits, positioning themselves for the best jobs in a state offering among the best-paying teacher jobs in the country.

One advantage of earning a master’s degree is that it prepares graduates for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Passing the MTEL is required to achieve a teaching position in Massachusetts.

Earning a master’s degree also prepares educators for leadership roles with more influence and higher pay, including administrative positions.

Massachusetts already provides teachers at all levels of education with some of the highest national salaries. Earning a master’s degree helps teachers prepare for the top teaching jobs in one of the best states for teachers.