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Public school teacher salary
Average public school teacher salary
$42,231
Understanding Public School Teacher Salaries
The average salary for a Public School Teacher in the United States is $42,231 annually. This figure can vary widely due to several factors including geographical location, level of education, and years of experience. For instance, teachers in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries compared to their counterparts in less populous states.
Experience plays a crucial role in salary progression. New teachers may start at lower pay scales, while those with advanced degrees or significant experience can command upwards of $60,000 annually. Additionally, teachers who take on specialized roles, such as special education or STEM, may also see salary increases.
For those considering a career in education, understanding the salary landscape is vital. Factors like district funding, local cost of living, and individual school policies influence pay scales. Resources like salary databases can provide insights into expected earnings in your area, helping educators make informed decisions about career paths and salary expectations.
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Where can a Public School Teacher earn more?
Public school teacher salary estimates from across the web
Average public school teacher salary by state
The highest-paying states for public school teachers are Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. The lowest average public school teacher salary states are Indiana, Arizona, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for public school teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $71,421 | $34.34 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $66,980 | $32.20 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $57,614 | $27.70 |
| 4 | New York | $61,937 | $29.78 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $55,870 | $26.86 |
| 7 | Michigan | $51,813 | $24.91 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $57,919 | $27.85 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $49,674 | $23.88 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $54,807 | $26.35 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $47,228 | $22.71 |
| 12 | Vermont | $49,869 | $23.98 |
| 13 | Washington | $56,941 | $27.38 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $49,325 | $23.71 |
| 15 | Virginia | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| 16 | Montana | $45,818 | $22.03 |
| 17 | Illinois | $46,437 | $22.33 |
| 18 | Alaska | $52,652 | $25.31 |
| 19 | Kansas | $45,552 | $21.90 |
| 20 | Delaware | $48,761 | $23.44 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $46,072 | $22.15 |
| 22 | Ohio | $48,785 | $23.45 |
| 23 | California | $53,189 | $25.57 |
| 24 | Colorado | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $42,189 | $20.28 |
| 26 | Oregon | $43,948 | $21.13 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $44,728 | $21.50 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $44,985 | $21.63 |
| 29 | Texas | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $44,446 | $21.37 |
| 31 | Iowa | $43,032 | $20.69 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $42,566 | $20.46 |
| 33 | Georgia | $41,815 | $20.10 |
| 34 | Maine | $40,732 | $19.58 |
| 35 | Alabama | $42,501 | $20.43 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $38,952 | $18.73 |
| 37 | Arizona | $36,694 | $17.64 |
| 38 | Missouri | $38,702 | $18.61 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $44,256 | $21.28 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $39,459 | $18.97 |
| 41 | Nevada | $33,955 | $16.32 |
| 42 | Indiana | $37,616 | $18.08 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $39,699 | $19.09 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $37,684 | $18.12 |
| 45 | Florida | $38,729 | $18.62 |
| 46 | Idaho | $38,601 | $18.56 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $39,992 | $19.23 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $34,627 | $16.65 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $36,643 | $17.62 |
| 50 | Utah | $37,703 | $18.13 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $35,942 | $17.28 |
Highest paying cities for public school teachers
The highest-paying cities for public school teachers are Baltimore, MD, New York, NY, and Hayward, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, MD | $71,977 | $34.60 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $62,082 | $29.85 |
| 3 | Hayward, CA | $53,641 | $25.79 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| 5 | Kansas City, KS | $45,875 | $22.06 |
| 6 | Corpus Christi, TX | $44,061 | $21.18 |
| 7 | Santa Fe, NM | $42,025 | $20.20 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $40,977 | $19.70 |
| 9 | Delray Beach, FL | $38,947 | $18.72 |
| 10 | Kansas City, MO | $38,766 | $18.64 |
| 11 | Yuma, AZ | $37,005 | $17.79 |
Public school teacher salary details
A public school teacher's salary ranges from $34,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a public school teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $42,231 | $3,519 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
Highest paying public school teacher jobs
The highest paying types of public school teachers are science teacher, student teacher, and reading teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher/Tutor | $42,955 | $3,580 | $20.65 | 68,441 |
| Special Education Teacher | $54,290 | $4,524 | $26.10 | 67,699 |
| Head Teacher | $51,715 | $4,310 | $24.86 | 73,756 |
| Student Teacher | $59,035 | $4,920 | $28.38 | 79,071 |
| Reading Teacher | $55,452 | $4,621 | $26.66 | 68,234 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for public school teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Bryan Carter Ph.D.
Director, Center for Digital Humanities, Associate Professor, Africana Studies, University of Arizona
Top companies hiring public school teachers now:
Which companies pay public school teachers the most?
Public school teacher salaries at Baltimore City Public Schools and Chicago Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average public school teacher salary at companies like Aspire Public Schools and Wichita Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore City Public Schools | $92,650 | $44.54 |
| 2 | Chicago Public Schools | $53,275 | $25.61 |
| 3 | Aspire Public Schools | $51,369 | $24.70 |
| 4 | Wichita Public Schools | $47,068 | $22.63 |
| 5 | USD 210 | $46,806 | $22.50 |
| 6 | Greensville County Public Schools | $46,745 | $22.47 |
| 7 | Santa Fe Public Schools | $45,813 | $22.03 |
| 8 | St. HOPE | $45,452 | $21.85 |
| 9 | The City University of New York | $44,789 | $21.53 |
| 10 | Minneapolis Public Schools | $44,643 | $21.46 |
| 11 | Hayward Unified School District | $44,282 | $21.29 |
| 12 | Presidio Hill School | $44,168 | $21.23 |
| 13 | St. Vrain Valley Schools | $43,849 | $21.08 |
| 14 | Corpus Christi Independent School District | $43,676 | $21.00 |
| 15 | Kelly Services | $43,316 | $20.82 |
| 16 | Connections For Kids | $43,189 | $20.76 |
| 17 | Tri-County Special Education | $42,767 | $20.56 |
| 18 | Yuma Middle School | $42,522 | $20.44 |
| 19 | Atsá Biyáázh Community School | $42,428 | $20.40 |
| 20 | University of Northern Colorado | $42,298 | $20.34 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Public school teacher salary trends
The average public school teacher salary has risen by $5,613 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average public school teacher earned $36,618 annually, but today, they earn $42,231 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for public school teachers over the last decade.
Compare public school teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average public school teacher salary over time
Compare public school teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Public school teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $42,200 | $20.30 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $41,400 | $19.88 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $40,400 | $19.40 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $39,600 | $19.04 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $38,700 | $18.59 | +1.6% |
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