If you have plans of working in the U.S. as a teacher this article is a must-read. It is important to know how much you can earn as a teacher before applying for a teaching job.
In this article, we will discuss the average salary of a teacher in the U.S.
That’s not all, we will also answer some important questions and give you some useful info as well.
Now, let’s get down to business. But before we begin, let’s give you a brief on teaching jobs in the U.S.
Teaching jobs in the U.S.
Working as a teacher in the United States is considered a noble job. Hence, as a teacher, you must work together with students to shape their lives. As well as to motivate, encourage and guide them into making a positive impact in the world.
Also, a teacher is seen as a role model, adviser, and also caregiver to their students.
And they should possess some skills such as; Patience, Leadership, and Time management. As well as Critical thinking.
That’s not all, a teacher should have good Communication skills, must be organized, and must be able to work as a team.
Now, that you have the basic knowledge of teaching jobs in the U.S., let’s move to our key topic for today.
Average teacher salary in the US
Apart from the fact that teaching is a noble job, working as a teacher can also be lucrative.
Well, according to the U.S. BLS, the average salary for a high school teacher as of May 2021 was $61,820.
However, this salary varies based on some factors like location and organization.
Having said that, let’s have a look at the average teacher salaries in every state across the U.S:
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
| Alabama | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $55,050 |
| Alaska | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $74,870 |
| Arizona | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $59,490 |
| Arkansas | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $53,080 |
| California | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $92,960 |
| Colorado | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $62,730 |
| Connecticut | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $80,230 |
| Delaware | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $68,810 |
| District of Columbia | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $76,540 |
| Florida | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $63,470 |
| Georgia | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $67,520 |
| Hawaii | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $60,790 |
| Idaho | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $57,780 |
| Illinois | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $72,480 |
| Indiana | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $58,690 |
| Iowa | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $60,490 |
| Kansas | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $56,590 |
| Kentucky | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $58,160 |
| Louisiana | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $54,300 |
| Maine | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $59,260 |
| Maryland | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $73,730 |
| Massachusetts | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $82,960 |
| Michigan | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $66,840 |
| Minnesota | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $64,500 |
| Mississippi | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $49,770 |
| Missouri | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $56,270 |
| Montana | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $54,630 |
| Nebraska | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $60,250 |
| Nevada | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $66,620 |
| New Hampshire | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $68,250 |
| New Jersey | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $79,460 |
| New Mexico | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $62,500 |
| New York | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $91,290 |
| North Carolina | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $51,570 |
| North Dakota | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $56,510 |
| Ohio | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $70,320 |
| Oklahoma | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $54,810 |
| Oregon | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $79,780 |
| Pennsylvania | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $73,810 |
| Rhode Island | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $74,640 |
| South Carolina | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $55,680 |
| South Dakota | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $49,190 |
| Tennessee | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $55,920 |
| Texas | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $61,210 |
| Utah | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $66,290 |
| Vermont | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $62,320 |
| Virginia | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $74,120 |
| Washington | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $88,530 |
| West Virginia | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $50,770 |
| Wisconsin | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $62,500 |
| Wyoming | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $63,730 |
However, from the above table, you can see that the average salary ranges from $49,190 to $92,960.
Also, note that these salaries may vary based on some factors. And these factors include; certifications, years of experience, etc.
Thus, let’s have a look at the highest-paying states for teachers in the U.S.
Top Paying States for Teachers in the U.S.
We will list the highest-paying states for teachers in the U.S. based on their annual average wages.
However, some states pay higher than others. For instance, a teacher in California earns higher than a teacher in South Dakota.
Having said that here are the highest-paying states for teachers in the United States:
California: $92,960.
New York: $91,290.
Washington: $88,530.
Massachusetts: $82,960.
Connecticut: $80,230.
Working as a teacher in any of these states gives you higher chances to earn big in your early career.
However, before applying for a teaching job in any of these states you might want to consider the cost of living.
For instance, the cost of living in California is higher than the cost of living in Arkansas.
So, before moving to any of these cities make sure you research the cost of living in that city.
Low Paying States for Teachers in the U.S
Now that you know the highest-paying states, it is important to also know the lowest-paying states.
However, note that some of the cities with lower average pay are cities with less funding.
Hence, this has an impact on the teacher and also the student. Thus teachers in these states must be creative as there are less support and funding.
With that in mind, let’s have a look at the lowest-paying states for teachers in the U.S based on annual average salaries:
South Dakota: $49,190.
Mississippi: $49,770.
West Virginia: $50,770.
North Carolina: $51,570.
Arkansas: $53,080.
Although teachers in these states do not earn much as other teachers, the cost of living in these states is low.
Verdict
To sum it up, we’ve listed the average teacher salary in the US. Also, we listed the top-paying states for teachers in the US as well as the low-paying states for teachers in the US.
Hence, if you have any questions let us know by dropping them in the comment session.
Having said that, we hope you enjoyed this article. Thank you for reading!