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Visual arts teacher salary
Average visual arts teacher salary
$49,527
Understanding Visual Arts Teacher Salaries
The average salary for a Visual Arts Teacher in the United States stands at $49,527 per year, translating to approximately $24 per hour. Salaries can vary widely based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific employment settings. For instance, states like California and New York tend to offer higher salaries due to a higher cost of living and greater demand for arts education.
According to recent data, Visual Arts Teachers in metropolitan areas often earn more than those in rural settings. Additionally, teachers with advanced degrees or certifications may command higher salaries. Here is a breakdown of factors influencing salary:
- Location: Urban vs rural settings.
- Experience: Entry-level vs seasoned educators.
- Employment Type: Public schools, private institutions, or freelance opportunities.
Exploring these variables can provide valuable insights for those considering or currently in a Visual Arts Teaching career. By understanding the salary trends, educators can better navigate their professional paths and seek positions that meet their financial needs.
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Where can a Visual Arts Teacher earn more?
Visual arts teacher salary estimates from across the web
Average visual arts teacher salary by state
The average visual arts teacher salary in Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average visual arts teacher salary states are South Carolina, Indiana, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for visual arts teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $71,476 | $34.36 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $65,594 | $31.54 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $58,649 | $28.20 |
| 4 | Michigan | $53,517 | $25.73 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $55,358 | $26.61 |
| 6 | Washington | $63,098 | $30.34 |
| 7 | New York | $60,518 | $29.10 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $62,465 | $30.03 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $51,098 | $24.57 |
| 10 | Oregon | $58,371 | $28.06 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $52,039 | $25.02 |
| 12 | Virginia | $55,776 | $26.82 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $55,992 | $26.92 |
| 14 | Illinois | $51,041 | $24.54 |
| 15 | Ohio | $51,475 | $24.75 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $50,167 | $24.12 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $56,853 | $27.33 |
| 18 | Alaska | $57,547 | $27.67 |
| 19 | Texas | $49,446 | $23.77 |
| 20 | Utah | $52,613 | $25.29 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $50,130 | $24.10 |
| 22 | California | $54,187 | $26.05 |
| 23 | Montana | $47,546 | $22.86 |
| 24 | Vermont | $51,562 | $24.79 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $45,604 | $21.93 |
| 26 | Tennessee | $45,707 | $21.97 |
| 27 | Delaware | $48,089 | $23.12 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $47,945 | $23.05 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $46,827 | $22.51 |
| 30 | Colorado | $44,555 | $21.42 |
| 31 | Iowa | $45,297 | $21.78 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $43,848 | $21.08 |
| 33 | Florida | $44,876 | $21.57 |
| 34 | Georgia | $44,764 | $21.52 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $46,046 | $22.14 |
| 36 | Alabama | $45,308 | $21.78 |
| 37 | Kansas | $42,379 | $20.37 |
| 38 | Missouri | $43,618 | $20.97 |
| 39 | Nevada | $40,569 | $19.50 |
| 40 | Idaho | $43,334 | $20.83 |
| 41 | Indiana | $40,254 | $19.35 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $40,544 | $19.49 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $37,377 | $17.97 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $42,255 | $20.31 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $42,262 | $20.32 |
| 46 | Maine | $42,700 | $20.53 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $41,578 | $19.99 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $42,710 | $20.53 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $39,251 | $18.87 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $38,506 | $18.51 |
| 51 | Arizona | $37,076 | $17.82 |
Highest paying cities for visual arts teachers
The highest-paying cities for visual arts teachers are Newark, NJ, Seattle, WA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $65,641 | $31.56 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $63,445 | $30.50 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $60,653 | $29.16 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $58,725 | $28.23 |
| 5 | Richmond, CA | $57,397 | $27.59 |
| 6 | Hartford, CT | $56,755 | $27.29 |
| 7 | Saratoga Springs, UT | $52,678 | $25.33 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $51,258 | $24.64 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $49,666 | $23.88 |
| 10 | Albuquerque, NM | $45,765 | $22.00 |
| 11 | Egypt Lake-Leto, FL | $45,017 | $21.64 |
| 12 | Durham, NC | $44,638 | $21.46 |
| 13 | Castle Rock, CO | $44,568 | $21.43 |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | $40,065 | $19.26 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| 16 | San Juan, PR | $29,441 | $14.15 |
Visual arts teacher salary details
A visual arts teacher's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $68,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a visual arts teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| Average | $49,527 | $4,127 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying visual arts teacher jobs
The highest paying types of visual arts teachers are student teacher, reading teacher, and esl teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educator | $43,760 | $3,647 | $21.04 | 28,019 |
| Practicum Student | $49,447 | $4,121 | $23.77 | 9,737 |
| Long Term Substitute Teacher | $42,808 | $3,567 | $20.58 | 69,133 |
| 5th Grade Teacher | $46,300 | $3,858 | $22.26 | 57,358 |
| 4th Grade Teacher | $47,619 | $3,968 | $22.89 | 68,138 |
| 6th Grade Teacher | $45,615 | $3,801 | $21.93 | 69,523 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for visual arts teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Barbara Bonnekessen Ph.D.
Professor and Dean, Eastern Illinois University
Which companies pay visual arts teachers the most?
Visual arts teacher salaries at The Archer School for Girls and Community School of Music and Arts are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average visual arts teacher salary at companies like Boston Public Schools and Rutgers University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Archer School for Girls | $66,905 | $32.17 |
| 2 | Community School of Music and Arts | $64,268 | $30.90 |
| 3 | Boston Public Schools | $62,717 | $30.15 |
| 4 | Rutgers University | $60,514 | $29.09 |
| 5 | Madera High School | $57,527 | $27.66 |
| 6 | KIPP DC | $56,174 | $27.01 |
| 7 | The Northwest School | $55,448 | $26.66 |
| 8 | Hyde Leadership Charter School (Elementary & Middle School) | $54,267 | $26.09 |
| 9 | Ef International School of English | $53,319 | $25.63 |
| 10 | Distinctive Schools | $51,809 | $24.91 |
| 11 | Culver City Unified School District | $51,624 | $24.82 |
| 12 | KIPP New Jersey | $50,384 | $24.22 |
| 13 | Canyon Independent School District | $50,194 | $24.13 |
| 14 | Pike Township Fire Dept | $49,995 | $24.04 |
| 15 | Making Waves Education Program | $49,875 | $23.98 |
| 16 | Joliet Schools 86 | $49,713 | $23.90 |
| 17 | Envision | $49,419 | $23.76 |
| 18 | Urban Discovery Schools | $48,697 | $23.41 |
| 19 | Chatham County Schools | $48,614 | $23.37 |
| 20 | Tempe Elementary School District | $48,217 | $23.18 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Visual arts teacher salary trends
The average visual arts teacher salary has risen by $6,583 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average visual arts teacher earned $42,944 annually, but today, they earn $49,527 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for visual arts teachers over the last decade.
Compare visual arts teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average visual arts teacher salary over time
Compare visual arts teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Visual arts teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,500 | $23.81 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $48,500 | $23.31 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $47,300 | $22.75 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | $46,500 | $22.33 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $45,300 | $21.80 | +1.6% |
Recently added visual arts teacher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 287 | Special Education Visual Art Teacher-(Abec) | Brooklyn Park, MN | 06/27/2025 | $48,819 |
| Meeting Street Schools | Visual Arts Teacher | Charleston, SC | 06/26/2025 | $65,282 |
| River Delta Unified School District | TK-6Th Grade Visual or Performing Arts Teacher | Courtland, CA | 06/22/2025 | $62,399 |
| Lawrence Public Schools | SY Visual Art Teacher K | Lawrence, MA | 06/17/2025 | $56,415 |
| Westborough Public Schools | LTS Visual Art Teacher, GR (5911) | Westborough, MA | 06/12/2025 | $57,393 |
| High Tech High | K-5Th Visual Arts Teacher at High Tech Elementary North County | San Marcos, CA | 06/09/2025 | $63,280 |
| North Carolina Cyber Academy | High School-Visual Arts Teacher | Durham, NC | 06/06/2025 | $43,050 |
| Ohio Department of Education | Visual Art Teacher/Early Learning Center | Dayton, OH | 05/29/2025 | $49,829 |
| East Harlem Tutorial Program | High School Music or Visual Arts Teacher) | New York, NY | 05/27/2025 | $75,000 |
| Pacific Ridge School | Visual Arts Teacher | Carlsbad, CA | 05/24/2025 | $60,885 |
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