Research Summary. In a comprehensive analysis conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest insights on lead teacher salaries across the United States for 2026:
-
California offers the highest lead teacher salary at $50,352
-
Indiana reports the lowest lead teacher salary at $23,146
-
The national average salary for lead teachers stands at $33,652
-
On an hourly basis, lead teachers earn an average of $16.18
For a detailed explanation of our methodology, please read further.
Background
Consistently identified as a top priority in surveys across various demographics, salary remains a crucial factor for job seekers. Potential lead teachers often ask, “How much do lead teachers earn in my area?”
While individual salaries may vary based on location, experience, and qualifications, we provide a robust overview of average salaries for lead teachers by state, segmented by seniority level. Understanding these averages can provide valuable insights into expected earnings.
As of 2026, California continues to lead the way with the highest salaries for lead teachers.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for lead teacher salaries:
Now, let’s examine the complete ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Lead Teachers By State
| Rank | State | Average Lead Teacher Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $50,352 | $33,000 | $76,000 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $46,179 | $29,000 | $71,000 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $46,111 | $29,000 | $72,000 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $44,482 | $34,000 | $57,000 |
| 5 | New York | $44,052 | $27,000 | $70,000 |
| 6 | Vermont | $43,499 | $29,000 | $63,000 |
| 7 | Washington | $41,363 | $30,000 | $56,000 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $40,128 | $25,000 | $62,000 |
| 9 | Nevada | $38,341 | $25,000 | $57,000 |
| 10 | Maine | $37,842 | $26,000 | $54,000 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $37,800 | $23,000 | $60,000 |
| 12 | Oregon | $37,691 | $26,000 | $52,000 |
| 13 | Maryland | $37,622 | $23,000 | $59,000 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $37,434 | $24,000 | $56,000 |
| 15 | Alaska | $37,369 | $30,000 | $45,000 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $36,230 | $27,000 | $46,000 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $35,728 | $23,000 | $53,000 |
| 18 | Arizona | $35,676 | $23,000 | $53,000 |
| 19 | Illinois | $34,810 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 20 | Mississippi | $34,041 | $22,000 | $51,000 |
| 21 | Kansas | $33,912 | $23,000 | $48,000 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $33,814 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| 23 | Delaware | $33,607 | $21,000 | $53,000 |
| 24 | Utah | $33,554 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 25 | Texas | $32,908 | $21,000 | $50,000 |
| 26 | Louisiana | $32,886 | $21,000 | $51,000 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $32,793 | $20,000 | $52,000 |
| 28 | Colorado | $32,729 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $32,299 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 30 | Alabama | $32,132 | $21,000 | $49,000 |
| 31 | Michigan | $31,887 | $21,000 | $46,000 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $31,451 | $21,000 | $46,000 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $31,092 | $21,000 | $45,000 |
| 34 | Virginia | $30,885 | $19,000 | $48,000 |
| 35 | Idaho | $30,465 | $22,000 | $41,000 |
| 36 | Ohio | $30,350 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 37 | Florida | $30,166 | $18,000 | $47,000 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $30,127 | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $29,753 | $19,000 | $46,000 |
| 40 | Georgia | $29,284 | $19,000 | $44,000 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $28,934 | $19,000 | $42,000 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $28,662 | $20,000 | $39,000 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $28,635 | $18,000 | $44,000 |
| 44 | Missouri | $28,517 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $28,013 | $19,000 | $40,000 |
| 46 | Montana | $27,857 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 47 | Iowa | $26,579 | $19,000 | $36,000 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $26,334 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $23,956 | $17,000 | $32,000 |
| 50 | Indiana | $23,146 | $16,000 | $33,000 |
Methodology: Lead Teacher Salary By State
To thoroughly assess lead teacher salaries by state, Zippia has aggregated data from various sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. Additionally, we incorporate actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team computes a weighted average from these inputs to establish the average pay for lead teachers by state.
We ranked each state based on the average annual salary for lead teachers, with the highest salary determining the top position.
Lead Teacher Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for lead teachers?
The highest-paid state for lead teachers is California, offering an average salary of $50,352 per year.
-
What city pays lead teachers the most?
San Francisco, CA provides the highest salary for lead teachers, averaging $51,695 annually.
-
What is the lowest-paying state for lead teachers?
The lowest-paying state for lead teachers is Indiana, with an average salary of $23,146 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.
