Best cities for a certified teacher
The best cities for certified teachers are Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for certified teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for certified teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a certified teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for certified teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for certified teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a certified teacher. While the absolute best city for certified teachers is Philadelphia, PA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for certified teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a certified teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for certified teachers in 2025
1. Philadelphia, PA
Total certified teacher jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $60,624 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 3.29 2. Buffalo, NY
Total certified teacher jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $65,483 Lowest 10 percent warn: $46,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 2.74 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total certified teacher jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $59,028 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $83,000 Location quotient: 0.62 4. Detroit, MI
Total certified teacher jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $57,727 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Location quotient: 1.33 5. Newark, NJ
Total certified teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $65,272 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 3.22 6. Baltimore, MD
Total certified teacher jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $68,061 Lowest 10 percent warn: $47,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 0.61 7. Columbus, OH
Total certified teacher jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $51,724 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Location quotient: 0.63 8. Hempstead, NY
Total certified teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $70,341 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. New York, NY
Total certified teacher jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $70,340 Lowest 10 percent warn: $49,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 0.20 10. Islip, NY
Total certified teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $69,928 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for certified teachers
- Philadelphia, PA
- Buffalo, NY
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Detroit, MI
- Newark, NJ
- Baltimore, MD
- Columbus, OH
- Hempstead, NY
- New York, NY
- Islip, NY
- (17 certified teacher jobs)
- (3 certified teacher jobs)
- (2 certified teacher jobs)
- (3 certified teacher jobs)
- (4 certified teacher jobs)
- (2 certified teacher jobs)
- (3 certified teacher jobs)
- (0 certified teacher jobs)
- (7 certified teacher jobs)
- (0 certified teacher jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a certified teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,624 | $42,000 | 1,567,872 | 17 |
| 2 | Buffalo, NY | $65,483 | $46,000 | 256,902 | 3 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $59,028 | $41,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $57,727 | $40,000 | 672,795 | 3 |
| 5 | Newark, NJ | $65,272 | $45,000 | 281,764 | 4 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $68,061 | $47,000 | 614,664 | 2 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | $51,724 | $36,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 8 | Hempstead, NY | $70,341 | $49,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 9 | New York, NY | $70,340 | $49,000 | 8,537,673 | 7 |
| 10 | Islip, NY | $69,928 | $48,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 11 | Oyster Bay, NY | $69,813 | $48,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 12 | Brookhaven, NY | $69,295 | $48,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 13 | San Francisco, CA | $68,008 | $47,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 14 | Oakland, CA | $67,896 | $47,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 15 | Jersey City, NJ | $65,308 | $45,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 16 | Fremont, CA | $67,803 | $47,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 17 | San Jose, CA | $67,791 | $47,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $52,529 | $37,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 19 | Stockton, CA | $67,321 | $47,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 20 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,026 | $46,000 | 3,976,322 | 5 |
| 21 | Toledo, OH | $51,653 | $36,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 22 | Sacramento, CA | $67,190 | $47,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 23 | Fresno, CA | $66,704 | $47,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 24 | Bakersfield, CA | $66,138 | $46,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 25 | Omaha, NE | $53,182 | $39,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 26 | Anchorage, AK | $58,665 | $51,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 27 | Lincoln, NE | $53,068 | $39,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 28 | Virginia Beach, VA | $59,641 | $41,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 29 | Norfolk, VA | $59,464 | $41,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 30 | Washington, DC | $67,932 | $47,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 31 | Long Beach, CA | $64,786 | $46,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 32 | Chesapeake, VA | $59,371 | $41,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 33 | Anaheim, CA | $64,711 | $46,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 34 | Santa Ana, CA | $64,641 | $46,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 35 | Cincinnati, OH | $49,893 | $35,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 36 | Irvine, CA | $64,563 | $46,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 37 | Riverside, CA | $64,548 | $46,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 38 | Boston, MA | $56,968 | $41,000 | 673,184 | 4 |
| 39 | San Diego, CA | $63,838 | $46,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 40 | Orlando, FL | $50,548 | $38,000 | 277,173 | 3 |
| 41 | Jacksonville, FL | $49,398 | $36,000 | 880,619 | 12 |
| 42 | Miami, FL | $52,193 | $40,000 | 453,579 | 3 |
| 43 | Chula Vista, CA | $63,719 | $46,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 44 | New Orleans, LA | $46,637 | $34,000 | 391,495 | 3 |
| 45 | Lubbock, TX | $44,200 | $32,000 | 252,506 | 2 |
| 46 | Portland, OR | $56,105 | $41,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 47 | Saint Paul, MN | $54,233 | $39,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 48 | Minneapolis, MN | $54,224 | $39,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 49 | El Paso, TX | $45,193 | $33,000 | 683,080 | 5 |
| 50 | Lexington, KY | $48,674 | $34,000 | 318,449 | - |
Highest paying cities for certified teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. certified teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danbury, CT | $72,004 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $70,340 |
| 3 | Camden, NJ | $66,440 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $60,624 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | $57,727 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $56,968 |
| 7 | Miami, FL | $52,193 |
| 8 | Westminster, CO | $51,950 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $51,724 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $48,500 |
| 11 | Corpus Christi, TX | $45,149 |
| 12 | Asheville, NC | $44,228 |
| 13 | Hammond, IN | $43,199 |
| 14 | Murfreesboro, TN | $42,480 |
| 15 | Columbia, SC | $42,280 |
| 16 | North Little Rock, AR | $37,341 |
| 17 | Oklahoma City, OK | $36,164 |
| 18 | Saint Charles, MO | $33,391 |
Certified teacher best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025