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The largest teachers’ union in the U.S. is the National Education Association, boasting 3 million members.
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There are approximately 3.2 million full-time teachers and 130,930 K-12 schools across the nation.
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At least 70% of U.S. teachers are union members.
In today’s society, teachers serve as the foundation for future generations. They play a vital role in educating our children, providing supervision, and offering emotional and moral support.
In the United States, there are approximately 3.2 million full-time teachers and around 130,930 K-12 schools nationwide.
Given this context, it’s no surprise that significant teachers’ unions exist across the U.S. to safeguard teachers’ rights and offer essential resources. In fact, nearly 70% of American educators are members of a teachers’ union.
So, who are the largest teachers’ unions in the U.S.? We’ve compiled a list of the top 15 largest unions based on membership numbers.
It’s important to note that the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) dominate this list, along with several of their state-level affiliates.
Top 15 Largest Teachers’ Unions in the United States
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Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Members: 3,000,000Founded in 1857, the National Education Association is the largest teachers’ union in the U.S. and the largest white-collar labor union overall. The NEA supports millions of public school teachers, counselors, college faculty, and retired educators.
The NEA has grown significantly over the years, particularly after notable mergers, such as the 1966 merger with the historically black American Teachers Association. Today, the NEA operates in all 50 states and collects substantial dues from its members annually.
Politically, the NEA has distinct positions, advocating for a minimum teacher salary of $40,000 and reforms to educational policies like the “No Child Left Behind Act.” The NEA has historically supported the Democratic Party, contributing 92% of its political campaign donations to Democratic candidates over the past 25 years.
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American Federation of Teachers
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Members: 1,700,000Established in 1916, the American Federation of Teachers is a substantial union and an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). While serving a diverse group of professionals, including college faculty and healthcare workers, approximately 60% of AFT members are K-12 education workers.
The AFT has a progressive history, being one of the first unions to welcome African-Americans and other minorities as full members. In 1918, the AFT advocated for equal pay for African-American teachers as part of its platform.
Today, the AFT remains politically active, having supported various Democratic candidates and initiatives over the years, including significant financial contributions to campaigns in both the 2008 and 2016 elections.
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New York State United Teachers
Headquarters: Albany, New York
Members: 612,000 educatorsAffiliated with both the NEA and the AFT, the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) is the largest state-level teachers’ union in the U.S. Primarily serving New York educators, NYSUT also engages in federal lobbying and research initiatives.
Since establishing a retiree division in 1976, NYSUT has attracted a significant number of retired educators, with roughly 200,000 of its members being retirees.
NYSUT is politically active, advocating for comprehensive retirement benefits for teachers and supporting initiatives aligned with Democratic values.
For instance, in 2012, the union endorsed Democratic candidate Sean Patrick Maloney.
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The California Teachers Association
Headquarters: Burlingame, CA
Members: 310,000The California Teachers Association (CTA), a 158-year-old NEA affiliate, represents K-12 teachers, college faculty, retirees, and other educators across California. The CTA is particularly focused on community colleges, collaborating with campuses in at least 72 districts.
The CTA has a notable political presence; it was instrumental in passing a bill in 1988 that allocated at least 40% of California’s general fund to education.
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California School Employees Association
Headquarters: San Jose, California
Members: 250,000Founded in 1927, the California School Employees Association (CSEA) is an AFL affiliate that represents non-certificated school employees across California. CSEA has been involved in numerous political movements advocating for retirement benefits, collective bargaining rights, and improved working conditions for classified employees.
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Pennsylvania State Education Association
Headquarters: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Members: 187,000Established in 1852, the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is one of the oldest teachers’ unions in the country and an NEA affiliate. The PSEA serves a diverse membership, including educators, education support professionals, and retirees.
One of PSEA’s main missions is to advocate for fair salaries, benefits, and safe working conditions for its members.
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New Jersey Education Association
Headquarters: Trenton, New Jersey
Members: 200,000The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is an NEA affiliate that supports teachers, education support professionals, retirees, and students. NJEA operates 22 offices across the state of New Jersey and organizes its staff into several divisions, including Government Relations and Professional Development.
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Florida Education Association
Headquarters: Tallahassee, Florida
Members: 150,000The Florida Education Association (FEA), founded in 1886, is a state-level affiliate of both the NEA and the AFT. Known for leading the first statewide teachers’ strike in the U.S. in 1968, the FEA has a legacy of advocating for teachers’ rights and improved working conditions.
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Illinois Education Association
Headquarters: Springfield, Illinois
Members: 130,000The Illinois Education Association (IEA), founded in 1853, is a state-level NEA affiliate representing a diverse membership, including K-12 teachers, college faculty, and education support professionals. The IEA offers programs and services for all its members.
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Michigan Education Association
Headquarters: East Lansing, Michigan
Members: 120,000Founded in 1852, the Michigan Education Association (MEA), an NEA affiliate, represents a broad spectrum of education professionals, including teachers and support staff. It has a long history of advocating for both teachers and other school personnel, merging with the Michigan Educational Support Personnel in 1984.
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Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Members: 120,000Founded in 1847, the Ohio Education Association (OEA) is another longstanding NEA affiliate with a diverse membership that includes teachers, librarians, and counselors. The OEA comprises over 700 local affiliates and district associations throughout Ohio.
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Massachusetts Teachers Association
Headquarters: Quincy, Massachusetts
Members: 115,000Founded in 1845, the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is the oldest teachers’ union on this list. As a state-level NEA affiliate, the MTA supports K-12 and college educators, education support professionals, and other faculty members across approximately 400 local organizations.
In recent years, the MTA has been involved in various political movements, including supporting the Student Opportunity Act in 2020, which aims to provide significant funding for public education.
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Education Minnesota
Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Members: 86,000Established in 1998 through a merger of the Minnesota Education Association and the Minnesota Federation of Teachers, Education Minnesota is the youngest union on this list. The union maintains a dual affiliation with the NEA and AFT and operates 17 offices across Minnesota, supporting at least 440 local unions.
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Maryland State Education Association
Headquarters: Annapolis, Maryland
Members: 75,000The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) is an NEA affiliate dedicated to providing protection and resources for Maryland educators, including teachers and education support professionals. MSEA has 39 local affiliated associations across the state.
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Texas State Teachers Association
Headquarters: Austin, Texas
Members: 68,000
2021 Annual Revenue: N/AThe Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) has been serving educators since 1880 and is an NEA affiliate. The TSTA played a significant role in establishing minimum salary laws for teachers in Texas. Interestingly, in 1974, TSTA members voted on a potential merger with the NEA, which resulted in a close outcome.
Teachers Union FAQ
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What are the two biggest teachers unions in the United States?
The two biggest teachers unions in the U.S. are the NEA and AFT. The National Education Association (NEA) is the largest teachers’ union in the U.S. with 3 million members. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) follows as the second largest with 1.7 million members.
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What percentage of teachers are in unions in the US?
About 70% of teachers are in unions in the U.S. This is an approximate figure, indicating that over two-thirds of teachers in the country belong to some form of labor union.
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
