Salary Research
How Much Does a Teacher Make in 2026? State-by-State Salaries
By Personpages Research Desk · June 18, 2026 · 9 min read
The average U.S. public school teacher earned roughly $69,500 in the 2024-25 school year, according to NEA estimates. But "average" hides everything that matters — state, district, experience, and degree level all swing the real number by tens of thousands.
The top and bottom states
The highest-paying states for teachers in 2025 were New York (~$92k), Massachusetts (~$90k), California (~$95k), and Washington D.C. (~$84k). The lowest were Mississippi (~$48k), West Virginia (~$50k), and Florida (~$53k).
Why district matters more than state
Within a single state, a suburban district can pay 40-60% more than a rural one. New York City teachers start around $68k; rural upstate districts start closer to $42k. Look up the specific district, not just the state average.
The experience curve
Most teacher pay scales reward longevity heavily. A first-year teacher and a 20-year teacher in the same district often differ by $30-40k. Master's degrees typically add another $5-10k per year.
How to look up a specific teacher's salary
Public school teacher salaries are public record. Search your state's employee transparency portal (most states have one). For private school teachers, salaries aren't public — but you can estimate from school size, location, and tenure using Personpages.
What teachers actually take home
Pay scales are gross. Health insurance contributions, pension contributions (typically 7-10% of salary), and federal/state tax bring take-home to roughly 65-72% of the gross figure depending on state.
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Start a search →Frequently asked questions
What's the average teacher salary in 2026?▾
About $69,500 nationally for public school teachers, per NEA estimates. State averages range from ~$48k in Mississippi to ~$95k in California.
Can I look up a specific teacher's salary?▾
Yes, if they teach at a public school. Search your state's employee salary database — every state publishes one. Private school salaries aren't public.
Do teachers with master's degrees earn more?▾
In nearly every district, yes. A master's typically adds $5,000-$10,000 per year to the pay scale.
Why is there such a big pay gap between districts?▾
Most teacher pay is set at the district level and funded primarily by local property taxes, so wealthy suburbs pay far more than rural or low-income districts.