Teachers earn on average a salary of $71,699 in the United States for the 2023-24 school year. Teacher salary varies widely by state, ranging from $47,162 to Mississippi for $92,222 in New York. Starting salaries for teachers are lower, with the national average teacher pay of $44,530. These numbers answer the question of how much teachers earn at different experience levels and locations in the United States.
Teacher Salaries in the United States
National teacher salary averages
- 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, showing the starting salary of teachers
- Teacher salaries increased by 3.1% from the previous year
- After adjusting for inflation, teachers make 5% less on average than 10 years ago, which affects overall teacher compensation
Teacher Salary Scales by State
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Highest Paying States for Teachers:
- New York: $92,222
- Massachusetts: $88,903
- California: $87,275
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Lowest paying states for teachers:
- Mississippi: $47,162
- South Dakota: $49,761
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Only 16% of districts employ at least one teacher who earns more than $100,000 one year
Factors Affecting Teacher Salary
Geographic location
- Urban and rural differences: Urban teachers generally earn 12% more than rural teachers before cost of living adjustments
- After taking into account the cost of living, the wage gap between urban and rural areas is reduced to approximately 3%
- In some states, like North Carolina, rural areas may offer higher cost-of-living-adjusted salaries.
Impact of experience and training on teacher salaries
- Salary scales often provide increases based on years of experience and additional education.
- Teachers with a master’s degree earn on average $5,000 more per year, thus increasing their overall salary
Remuneration of special education teachers
- Special education teachers in Maryland earn the highest average salary in $76,282 per year
- The national average salary for specialist teachers is $54,290
Cost of Living Considerations for Teacher Compensation
Affordable housing 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 the salary of a teacher after 20 years of experience
- Miami: even the best paid teachers spend more than a third of their salary on housing
Regional variations in teacher salaries
- Rural areas often offer lower wages but may have a lower cost of living
- Some urban districts offer cost-of-living adjustments, but these may not fully offset higher expenses.
Strategies to increase teacher salaries
- Performance pay and incentives: Some states offer differential pay for hard-to-staff schools and subjects
- Housing incentives: Some districts offer rent reduction, down payment assistance or reduced mortgage rates
- Negotiation: Some districts allow salary negotiations based on experience, qualifications and additional responsibilities, which could increase teacher pay.
FAQs
How much do teachers make on average in the United States?
The average teacher salary in the United States is $71,699 for the 2023-2024 school year. However, this varies greatly by state, with Mississippi having the lowest average, at $47,162, and New York having the highest, at $92,222.
What is the starting salary for new teachers?
The average starting salary for new teachers in the United States is $44,530 in 2024. This figure is significantly lower than the overall average teacher salary, reflecting salary progression based on experience and education.
How does teacher pay vary by state?
Teacher salaries vary widely 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 increased 3.1% from the previous year, after adjusting for inflation, teachers earn on average 5% less than 10 years ago. This indicates that despite nominal increases, real teacher pay has declined over time.
How does location affect teacher salary?
Location has a significant impact on teacher pay. Urban teachers typically earn 12% more than rural teachers before cost-of-living adjustments. However, after taking into account living expenses, this gap narrows to around 3%. Some states may offer higher salaries adjusted for the cost of living in rural areas.