Teacher Salaries in America
How much are teachers earning in America?
We compare average teacher salaries in each state, plus the salary difference between public and private schools as well as primary and secondary schools.
Click on the state names in the table to view the Best Places to Teach ranking for that state:
STATE | AVERAGE STARTING SALARY | AVERAGE SALARY |
---|---|---|
$36,198
|
$47,949
|
|
$44,166
|
$65,468
|
|
$32,691
|
$46,632
|
|
$31,874
|
$49,885
|
|
$41,259
|
$69,324
|
|
$32,126
|
$49,844
|
|
$42,924
|
$69,766
|
|
$51,539
|
$70,906
|
|
$39,338
|
$59,679
|
|
$35,166
|
$46,944
|
|
$33,664
|
$52,880
|
|
$41,027
|
$54,300
|
|
$33,226
|
$51,528
|
|
$31,159
|
$49,734
|
|
$37,166
|
$59,113
|
|
$34,696
|
$51,456
|
|
$33,386
|
$47,464
|
|
$35,166
|
$50,326
|
|
$38,655
|
$51,381
|
|
$40,600
|
$73,129
|
|
$43,235
|
$65,265
|
|
$31,835
|
$48,119
|
|
$35,901
|
$61,560
|
|
$34,505
|
$56,268
|
|
$30,064
|
$47,517
|
|
$31,184
|
$41,994
|
|
$27,274
|
$49,999
|
|
$30,778
|
$45,947
|
|
$32,019
|
$47,344
|
|
$30,844
|
$48,931
|
|
$34,280
|
$55,599
|
|
$48,631
|
$68,797
|
|
$31,960
|
$46,573
|
|
$35,358
|
$55,957
|
|
$43,839
|
$75,279
|
|
$33,096
|
$58,092
|
|
$31,606
|
$44,128
|
|
$33,549
|
$58,758
|
|
$41,901
|
$63,521
|
|
$39,196
|
$63,474
|
|
$32,306
|
$47,924
|
|
$29,851
|
$39,580
|
|
$34,098
|
$48,289
|
|
$38,091
|
$48,110
|
|
$33,081
|
$49,393
|
|
$37,848
|
$49,869
|
|
$35,541
|
$52,526
|
|
$36,335
|
$53,571
|
|
$33,546
|
$55,171
|
|
$32,533
|
$46,405
|
|
$43,269
|
$57,920
|
The national average starting teacher salary is $36,141, while the average teacher salary in America (non-starting) is $56,383.
Montana has the lowest starting salary: $27,274, while D.C. has the highest starting salary: $51,539. Coming in second is New Jersey at $48,631. New York has the highest average teacher salary: $75,279 and South Dakota has the lowest: $39,580.
Average Teacher Salaries: Private vs. Public School
Average Salary by Years Experience
YEARS EXPERIENCE | PUBLIC | PRIVATE |
---|---|---|
1
|
$40,540
|
$29,940
|
2-4
|
$41,480
|
$33,540
|
5-9
|
$47,300
|
$37,220
|
10-14
|
$54,860
|
$40,440
|
15-19
|
$58,880
|
$44,820
|
20-24
|
$60,930
|
$48,170
|
25-29
|
$63,780
|
$47,070
|
30+
|
$64,820
|
$50,390
|
Surprisingly, teacher salaries are higher overall at public schools, rather than at private schools.
Comparing primary vs. secondary school salaries
Public schools
Average secondary school teacher base salary: $53,520
Average primary school teacher base salary: $52,620
Private Schools
Average secondary school teacher base salary: $44,720
Average primary school teacher base salary: $36,260