Research Summary. The Zippia data science team has conducted comprehensive research to highlight the current landscape of student teacher salaries across the United States in 2026:
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Maryland offers the highest average salary for student teachers at $74,822
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Arizona ranks lowest, with an average salary of $37,604
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The national average salary for student teachers is $59,035
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On an hourly basis, student teachers earn an average of $28.38
For more details on the specific methodology, click here.
Background
Salary remains a pivotal factor for job seekers, and student teachers are no exception. Many prospective educators inquire, “How much do student teachers earn in my area?”
While individual salaries may vary based on location and experience, substantial data exists regarding student teacher salaries by state. Understanding these averages can provide valuable insight into what can be expected in terms of compensation.
As of 2026, Maryland stands out as the state with the highest salary for student teachers.
Below is a summary of the top ten states for student teacher salaries:
Let’s delve into the full ranking of states based on student teacher salaries.
Highest-Paid Student Teachers By State
| Rank | State | Average Student Teacher Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $74,822 | $55,000 | $101,000 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $73,901 | $54,000 | $99,000 |
| 3 | New York | $71,125 | $52,000 | $96,000 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $71,010 | $52,000 | $95,000 |
| 5 | Washington | $67,636 | $51,000 | $88,000 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $67,344 | $49,000 | $90,000 |
| 7 | Alaska | $67,296 | $57,000 | $78,000 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $64,596 | $47,000 | $87,000 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $62,255 | $54,000 | $71,000 |
| 10 | Virginia | $62,248 | $46,000 | $83,000 |
| 11 | Oregon | $60,735 | $46,000 | $79,000 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $59,896 | $44,000 | $81,000 |
| 13 | Illinois | $57,764 | $43,000 | $76,000 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $57,048 | $43,000 | $74,000 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $56,824 | $42,000 | $76,000 |
| 16 | Michigan | $56,441 | $41,000 | $76,000 |
| 17 | California | $56,408 | $42,000 | $74,000 |
| 18 | Vermont | $55,682 | $41,000 | $75,000 |
| 19 | Texas | $55,664 | $42,000 | $73,000 |
| 20 | Delaware | $54,147 | $40,000 | $73,000 |
| 21 | Ohio | $53,653 | $39,000 | $72,000 |
| 22 | Georgia | $52,656 | $39,000 | $70,000 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $51,829 | $39,000 | $68,000 |
| 24 | Florida | $51,771 | $40,000 | $66,000 |
| 25 | Kentucky | $51,608 | $38,000 | $68,000 |
| 26 | Maine | $51,253 | $38,000 | $68,000 |
| 27 | Alabama | $51,195 | $38,000 | $68,000 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $51,119 | $39,000 | $66,000 |
| 29 | New Mexico | $50,992 | $38,000 | $67,000 |
| 30 | Utah | $50,950 | $38,000 | $66,000 |
| 31 | Nevada | $50,409 | $37,000 | $66,000 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $50,227 | $38,000 | $65,000 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $49,839 | $36,000 | $67,000 |
| 34 | Iowa | $48,911 | $37,000 | $64,000 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $48,815 | $36,000 | $64,000 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $47,987 | $36,000 | $63,000 |
| 37 | Kansas | $47,872 | $36,000 | $62,000 |
| 38 | Idaho | $47,599 | $36,000 | $62,000 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $46,917 | $35,000 | $62,000 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $46,427 | $34,000 | $62,000 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $46,365 | $34,000 | $61,000 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $45,756 | $34,000 | $60,000 |
| 43 | Montana | $44,914 | $34,000 | $58,000 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $44,591 | $33,000 | $59,000 |
| 45 | Indiana | $44,345 | $33,000 | $59,000 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $44,147 | $33,000 | $57,000 |
| 47 | Colorado | $44,102 | $33,000 | $57,000 |
| 48 | Missouri | $43,239 | $32,000 | $57,000 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $42,320 | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| 50 | Arizona | $37,604 | $28,000 | $49,000 |
Methodology: Student Teacher Salary By State
To analyze student teacher compensation by state, Zippia gathered data from various reputable sources including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data was then supplemented with salaries listed in job postings. Our data science team calculated a weighted average to arrive at the average pay for student teachers across different states.
We ranked every state based on the average annual salary data for student teachers, with the state offering the highest salary taking the top position.
Student Teacher Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for student teachers?
The highest-paid state for student teachers is Maryland with an average salary of $74,822 per year.
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What city pays student teachers the most?
Boston, MA offers the highest average salary for student teachers at $73,835 per year.
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What is the worst state for student teachers?
The state with the lowest average salary for student teachers is Arizona at $37,604 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
