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Social studies teacher salary
Average social studies teacher salary
$49,725
Understanding Social Studies Teacher Salaries
The average salary for a social studies teacher in the United States is approximately $49,725 annually, which translates to about $24 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as state, years of experience, and educational qualifications. For instance, teachers with advanced degrees or specialized certifications often command higher salaries.
In states like California and New York, social studies teachers typically earn more due to the higher cost of living and increased funding for education. Conversely, regions with lower living costs may offer reduced salaries. Understanding these dynamics can assist prospective teachers in making informed decisions about where to apply and how to enhance their qualifications.
Additionally, the job outlook for social studies teachers remains steady, with opportunities available in public and private schools, as well as in online education settings. As educational needs evolve, there is potential for growth in various roles, making it a viable career choice for those passionate about teaching.
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Where can a Social Studies Teacher earn more?
Social studies teacher salary estimates from across the web
Average social studies teacher salary by state
The highest-paying states for social studies teachers are Washington, New York, and Massachusetts. The lowest average social studies teacher salary states are Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for social studies teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $68,181 | $32.78 |
| 2 | Maryland | $64,852 | $31.18 |
| 3 | Washington | $68,443 | $32.91 |
| 4 | Delaware | $61,224 | $29.43 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $65,848 | $31.66 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $65,213 | $31.35 |
| 7 | Vermont | $57,728 | $27.75 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $61,101 | $29.38 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $57,263 | $27.53 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $54,789 | $26.34 |
| 11 | Illinois | $53,077 | $25.52 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $57,924 | $27.85 |
| 13 | Alaska | $55,041 | $26.46 |
| 14 | Nevada | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $53,754 | $25.84 |
| 16 | Michigan | $48,009 | $23.08 |
| 17 | Virginia | $55,657 | $26.76 |
| 18 | Nebraska | $49,323 | $23.71 |
| 19 | Utah | $53,897 | $25.91 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $45,908 | $22.07 |
| 21 | California | $53,096 | $25.53 |
| 22 | Oregon | $51,528 | $24.77 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $55,483 | $26.67 |
| 24 | Ohio | $50,187 | $24.13 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $50,295 | $24.18 |
| 26 | Alabama | $50,242 | $24.15 |
| 27 | Maine | $45,797 | $22.02 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| 29 | Georgia | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| 30 | Kansas | $45,924 | $22.08 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $47,158 | $22.67 |
| 32 | Idaho | $44,823 | $21.55 |
| 33 | Florida | $45,243 | $21.75 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $45,846 | $22.04 |
| 35 | Texas | $45,152 | $21.71 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $45,358 | $21.81 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $45,077 | $21.67 |
| 38 | Iowa | $44,074 | $21.19 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $44,748 | $21.51 |
| 40 | Montana | $38,111 | $18.32 |
| 41 | Colorado | $39,121 | $18.81 |
| 42 | Arizona | $38,791 | $18.65 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $40,612 | $19.52 |
| 44 | Indiana | $41,909 | $20.15 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $38,093 | $18.31 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $36,954 | $17.77 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $41,218 | $19.82 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $38,034 | $18.29 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $37,546 | $18.05 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $33,046 | $15.89 |
| 51 | Missouri | $33,596 | $16.15 |
Highest paying cities for social studies teachers
The highest-paying cities for social studies teachers are New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Rockville, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $68,783 | $33.07 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $65,593 | $31.54 |
| 3 | Rockville, MD | $64,550 | $31.03 |
| 4 | Jersey City, NJ | $61,063 | $29.36 |
| 5 | Greenwich, CT | $58,263 | $28.01 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $58,093 | $27.93 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $57,909 | $27.84 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $54,327 | $26.12 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $53,419 | $25.68 |
| 10 | Salem, OR | $51,718 | $24.86 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $49,727 | $23.91 |
| 12 | Detroit, MI | $48,368 | $23.25 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| 14 | Roseville, MN | $45,901 | $22.07 |
| 15 | Albuquerque, NM | $45,824 | $22.03 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $45,722 | $21.98 |
| 17 | Nashua, NH | $45,511 | $21.88 |
| 18 | Jacksonville, FL | $44,551 | $21.42 |
| 19 | Council Bluffs, IA | $43,112 | $20.73 |
| 20 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,700 | $20.05 |
Social studies teacher salary details
A social studies teacher's salary ranges from $36,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $67,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a social studies teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| Average | $49,725 | $4,144 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
Highest paying social studies teacher jobs
The highest paying types of social studies teachers are science teacher, student teacher, and reading teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| History Teacher | $53,780 | $4,482 | $25.86 | 65,399 |
| French Teacher | $49,442 | $4,120 | $23.77 | 54,716 |
| Summer School Teacher | $52,828 | $4,402 | $25.40 | 86,467 |
| Biology Teacher | $51,721 | $4,310 | $24.87 | 68,958 |
| ESL Teacher | $52,701 | $4,392 | $25.34 | 63,897 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for social studies teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Maggie Beeber
Undergraduate Advising Coordinator & Teacher Certification Officer, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Top companies hiring social studies teachers now:
Which companies pay social studies teachers the most?
Social studies teacher salaries at Boston Public Schools and Hinsdale Central High School are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average social studies teacher salary at companies like French-American School of New York and Soliant are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $79,346 | $38.15 |
| 2 | Hinsdale Central High School | $68,914 | $33.13 |
| 3 | French-American School of New York | $64,852 | $31.18 |
| 4 | Soliant | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| 5 | Catlin Gabel School | $62,895 | $30.24 |
| 6 | Riverside Unified School District | $62,609 | $30.10 |
| 7 | Loyola Marymount University | $61,087 | $29.37 |
| 8 | Hemet Unified School District | $60,446 | $29.06 |
| 9 | The Phelps School | $59,311 | $28.51 |
| 10 | California State University | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| 11 | New York University | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 12 | Springfield City Library | $57,579 | $27.68 |
| 13 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $57,517 | $27.65 |
| 14 | New York City School Construction Authority | $57,484 | $27.64 |
| 15 | State University of New York College at Cortland | $56,807 | $27.31 |
| 16 | Aspire Public Schools | $56,502 | $27.16 |
| 17 | Duval County Public Schools | $56,371 | $27.10 |
| 18 | Acadia Healthcare | $55,605 | $26.73 |
| 19 | KIPP Northern California Public Schools | $55,337 | $26.60 |
| 20 | Sullivan School District | $55,156 | $26.52 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Social studies teacher salary trends
The average social studies teacher salary has risen by $6,802 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average social studies teacher earned $42,923 annually, but today, they earn $49,725 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for social studies teachers over the last decade.
Compare social studies teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average social studies teacher salary over time
Compare social studies teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Social studies teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,700 | $23.91 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $48,800 | $23.45 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $47,700 | $22.94 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $46,800 | $22.50 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $45,900 | $22.07 | +1.4% |
Recently added social studies teacher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kipp Dc | High School Social Studies Teacher | Jacksonville, FL | 06/29/2025 | $50,000 |
| Shore Regional High School District | Teacher of Social Studies | West Long Branch, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $62,600 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Social Studies Instructor-Remote | WFH | Irvine, CA | 06/29/2025 | $73,045 |
| Salem-Keizer School District | ELA/Social Studies Teacher-Crossler | Salem, OR | 06/28/2025 | $50,011 |
| Monroe County School District Fl | 51063 Teacher, Social Studies (AP Human Geography) | Key West, FL | 06/28/2025 | $62,100 |
| Oregon Public Schools | ELA/Social Studies Teacher-Crossler | Salem, OR | 06/28/2025 | $50,011 |
| Seattle Preparatory School | English & Social Studies Teacher-Leave Replacement | Seattle, WA | 06/28/2025 | $67,669 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District | Anticipated Opening-Psychology/Social Studies Teacher | Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $62,705 |
| Auburn School District | MS Teacher-Social Studies | Auburn, WA | 06/27/2025 | $68,589 |
| New Brunswick Public Schools | Social Studies/Criminal Justice Teacher | New Brunswick, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $60,626 |
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