Teachers are the lifeblood of education, nurturing and molding young minds to become the leaders of tomorrow. However, the state of the teaching profession today is often fraught with low pay, challenging working conditions, and limited resources.
Seldom do teachers get the recognition they deserve or the resources they need to thrive. ThinkFives scoured surveys, government data, and education reports to determine what factors make a state a great place for teachers to work.
Since this is a subjective topic, we’ll explore several important factors including:
- compensation
- working conditions
- education system quality
- lifestyle factors
You can decide what matters most to you.
One thing is clear: teachers remain essential—and in demand. In the United States, the median teacher salary is roughly $63,000–$65,000 depending on grade level, though the highest-paid teachers can earn over $100,000 annually.
Salary
The top paying states for teachers in the United States can vary based on several factors, including experience, education, and location. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other sources for the last full teaching year, the top five states with the highest average annual salaries for elementary, middle, and high school teachers combined are:
- California: about $101,084
- New York: about $95,000+
- Massachusetts: about $92,000
- Washington: about $90,000
- Connecticut: about $86,500
For comparison, the 5 states with the lowest average annual salaries are:
- Mississippi: around $53,000
- Florida: around $54,875
- South Dakota: roughly mid-$50,000s
- West Virginia: roughly mid-$50,000s
- Oklahoma: roughly low-$50,000s
No Income Tax
With some state tax rates over 10%, working in a state with no income tax can be quite an advantage, particularly if your spouse or partner also works.
There are currently 9 states that do not impose an income tax at the state level:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Wyoming
Lowest Cost of Living
The cost of living can vary significantly by state and even within different regions within a state. However, according to a study by U.S. News & World Report, these 5 states with the lowest cost of living, based on factors such as housing affordability, food and grocery costs, transportation expenses, and healthcare costs:
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma
- Missouri
While salaries in these states may be lower, the purchasing power of a teacher’s paycheck can sometimes stretch much further than in high-cost states like California or New York.
Teacher-Student Ratio
The teacher-to-student ratio can vary significantly by state and school district. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the 5 states with the lowest teacher-to-student ratios in public elementary and secondary schools for the 2019-2020 school year are:
- Vermont: about 11 students per teacher
- North Dakota: about 12 students per teacher
- Wyoming: about 12 students per teacher
- Montana: about 13 students per teacher
- South Dakota: about 13 students per teacher
Vermont currently holds the lowest student-teacher ratio in the nation, with roughly 11 students per teacher, allowing for more personalized instruction.
By comparison, the national average class ratio is closer to 16 students per teacher in public schools.
Teacher Satisfaction
Teacher satisfaction can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including working conditions, compensation, administrative support, and student outcomes, among others. According to a survey by education nonprofit, Learning Heroes, the five states with the highest teacher job satisfaction are:
- Hawaii
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
The survey asked teachers to rate their satisfaction with a range of factors, including work-life balance, professional development opportunities, and their school’s leadership.
A Few Interesting Teacher Facts
- The average starting teacher salary nationwide is about $46,500.
- Only about 30% of school districts offer starting salaries above $50,000.
- Many states are increasing teacher pay to address nationwide teacher shortages.
- Some districts are experimenting with performance-based pay and retention bonuses.
What factors do you consider the most important in determining where to work?
Unfortunately my state didn’t make the cut for any of the categories 🙄
In Texas you are not allowed to collect Social Security. If you worked for 15 year and paid into Social Security, you are not allowed to collect it in Texas. You get a flat sum of $250.00 no matter what you have paid in. Which includes your husband Social Security as well. When you retire you only get 2% of your annual salary, the averaged of your last 4 years. This is a total rip off.
Wow, that is bad. I can’t believe you don’t get SS. That doesn’t sound fair. Jim
My state isn’t on there. 😩 However I would love to look up the wanted ads in Hawaii! 🌊☀️
Me, too, Kelli! The cost of living in Hawaii is quite a bit higher than where we live now!
My state didn’t make the list, either. I understand!