TEACHER SALARIES

Top States for Teacher Salaries

By Shannon Donnelly

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that between 2019 and 2020 the median salary for a public school teacher in the United States averaged $63,645. Check out these 10 states currently offering above-average salaries to public school teachers.

1.) New York

Paying an average wage of $87,543 per year, New York ranks number one in the nation for highest paid teacher wages, showing an increase of 12.9 percent over the last two decades.

2.) California

California comes in at number 2, paying teachers an average of $84,659, which marks a 16.9 percent increase in wages since the year 2000. Keep in mind, certain parts of California have a high cost of living, so the higher salaries take that into consideration.

3.) Massachusetts

The third highest paying state in the nation, Massachusetts affords teachers an average of $83,622 per year — an 18.2 percent increase over the past 20 years.

4.) Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC falls at number four, offering an average salary of $79,350 — up 10.9 percent since the year 2000.

5.) Connecticut

Connecticut ranks at number 5 in the nation, paying teachers an average of $78,247 per year — a 0.5 percent decrease over the past 20 years.

6.) New Jersey

Down 3.4 percent from the year 2000, New Jersey still comes in with the sixth highest median wage in the nation, paying teachers an average of $76, 376.

7.) Maryland

At number 7, Maryland has seen a 9.7 percent increase in wages over the past 20 years, putting its median wage at $73,444.

8.) Washington State

Washington comes in at number eight, with a whopping 17 percent increase in wages over the last two decades, bringing the average wage to $72,965.

9.) Alaska

At number nine, Alaska offers its teachers an average wage of $70, 877, an increase of 0.4 percent over the past 20 years.

10.) Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania falls at number 10, paying teachers a median wage of $70,258 — a 4.3 percent decrease since the year 2000.