Here’s How Much Teachers Make in Every State

Teachers are notoriously underpaid, with some having to work multiple jobs just to pay the bills. The median pay for teachers in America ranges from $30,520 for a preschool teacher to $61,660 for a high school teacher — while the median pay across all occupations is $39,810, and this includes many jobs that don’t require the higher degrees needed to become an educator. However, the pay varies greatly from state to state, with median teacher salaries ranging from $21,390 to $87,120.

To find out how much teachers make in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2019 data on employment and wages by state to find the median annual wage for preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school teachers. Here’s how much public school teacher jobs are worth across America.

How Much Teachers Make in Alabama

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $21,390
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $45,840
  • Elementary school teachers: $51,170
  • Middle school teachers: $52,830
  • High school teachers: $52,240

How Much Teachers Make in Alaska

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $31,500
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $67,690
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $73,960
    
  • Middle school teachers: $77,600
  • High school teachers: $74,910

How Much Teachers Make in Arizona

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $28,850
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $44,490
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $44,780
    
  • Middle school teachers: $44,210
  • High school teachers: $48,490

How Much Teachers Make in Arkansas

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,830
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $47,600
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $47,990
    
  • Middle school teachers: $49,660
  • High school teachers: $51,030

How Much Teachers Make in California

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $35,000
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $72,560
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $83,360
    
  • Middle school teachers: $80,130
  • High school teachers: $87,120

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How Much Teachers Make in Colorado

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $31,720
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $48,970
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $51,450
    
  • Middle school teachers: $51,480
  • High school teachers: $53,180

How Much Teachers Make in Connecticut

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $36,310
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $77,900
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $78,530
    
  • Middle school teachers: $80,500
  • High school teachers: $78,910

How Much Teachers Make in Delaware

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $26,240
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $58,630
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $62,800
    
  • Middle school teachers: $64,660
  • High school teachers: $66,870

How Much Teachers Make in Florida

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $25,110
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $56,000
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $53,540
    
  • Middle school teachers: $54,750
  • High school teachers: $55,620

How Much Teachers Make in Georgia

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,230
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $56,490
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $57,760
    
  • Middle school teachers: $57,510
  • High school teachers: $59,260

How Much Teachers Make in Hawaii

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $40,270
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $31,310
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $62,730
    
  • Middle school teachers: $62,690
  • High school teachers: $61,430

How Much Teachers Make in Idaho

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $23,960
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $46,280
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $46,420
    
  • Middle school teachers: $53,260
  • High school teachers: $49,390

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How Much Teachers Make in Illinois

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,720
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $55,670
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $60,250
    
  • Middle school teachers: $60,470
  • High school teachers: $69,610

How Much Teachers Make in Indiana

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $26,700
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $48,570
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $49,370
    
  • Middle school teachers: $49,740
  • High school teachers: $50,250

How Much Teachers Make in Iowa

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $26,780
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $52,280
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $53,610
    
  • Middle school teachers: $54,810
  • High school teachers: $55,630

How Much Teachers Make in Kansas

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,280
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $48,490
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $48,950
    
  • Middle school teachers: $50,820
  • High school teachers: $50,310

How Much Teachers Make in Kentucky

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,990
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $54,470
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $53,180
    
  • Middle school teachers: $53,620
  • High school teachers: $55,000

How Much Teachers Make in Louisiana

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $26,840
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $45,810
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $47,900
    
  • Middle school teachers: $48,950
  • High school teachers: $50,450

How Much Teachers Make in Maine

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $35,950
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $53,630
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $51,640
    
  • Middle school teachers: $57,030
  • High school teachers: $55,640

How Much Teachers Make in Maryland

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $31,880
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $68,330
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $73,640
    
  • Middle school teachers: $71,620
  • High school teachers: $75,330

Take a Look: Here’s the Highest-Paid Job in Your State — Excluding Doctors

How Much Teachers Make in Massachusetts

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $36,500
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $75,360
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $79,980
    
  • Middle school teachers: $78,270
  • High school teachers: $79,950

How Much Teachers Make in Michigan

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $30,980
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $59,080
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $66,030
    
  • Middle school teachers: $65,380
  • High school teachers: $61,630

How Much Teachers Make in Minnesota

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $36,320
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $60,680
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $61,080
    
  • Middle school teachers: $62,140
  • High school teachers: $62,850

How Much Teachers Make in Mississippi

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,960
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $44,320
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $43,530
    
  • Middle school teachers: $46,550
  • High school teachers: $45,680

How Much Teachers Make in Missouri

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $28,660
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $47,970
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $46,320
    
  • Middle school teachers: $47,510
  • High school teachers: $45,250

How Much Teachers Make in Montana

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,960
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $50,410
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $49,750
    
  • Middle school teachers: $58,760
  • High school teachers: $49,770

How Much Teachers Make in Nebraska

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $35,590
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $58,050
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $58,930
    
  • Middle school teachers: $60,210
  • High school teachers: $60,210

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How Much Teachers Make in Nevada

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $27,580
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $53,780
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $56,170
    
  • Middle school teachers: $58,930
  • High school teachers: $57,600

How Much Teachers Make in New Hampshire

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $30,020
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $57,890
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $59,340
    
  • Middle school teachers: $60,070
  • High school teachers: $60,500

How Much Teachers Make in New Jersey

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $36,100
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $65,620
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $69,340
    
  • Middle school teachers: $71,650
  • High school teachers: $76,910

How Much Teachers Make in New Mexico

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $28,420
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $51,030
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $55,080
    
  • Middle school teachers: $48,700
  • High school teachers: $55,700

How Much Teachers Make in New York

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $37,160
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $71,910
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $79,220
    
  • Middle school teachers: $85,390
  • High school teachers: $85,050

How Much Teachers Make in North Carolina

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $26,680
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $48,350
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $48,000
    
  • Middle school teachers: $48,750
  • High school teachers: $49,080

How Much Teachers Make in North Dakota

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $26,520
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $53,050
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $52,270
    
  • Middle school teachers: $56,150
  • High school teachers: $54,360

How Much Teachers Make in Ohio

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $27,170
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $57,460
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $64,470
    
  • Middle school teachers: $63,480
  • High school teachers: $64,370

Read More: The Extraordinary Cost of Private School in Your State

How Much Teachers Make in Oklahoma

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $25,870
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $41,400
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $42,180
    
  • Middle school teachers: $43,530
  • High school teachers: $45,060

How Much Teachers Make in Oregon

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,950
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $75,660
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $68,180
    
  • Middle school teachers: $70,830
  • High school teachers: $70,930

How Much Teachers Make in Pennsylvania

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,030
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $63,410
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $66,960
    
  • Middle school teachers: $66,610
  • High school teachers: $65,170

How Much Teachers Make in Rhode Island

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $28,700
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $81,050
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $75,310
    
  • Middle school teachers: $77,880
  • High school teachers: $80,050

How Much Teachers Make in South Carolina

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $22,990
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $53,770
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $51,600
    
  • Middle school teachers: $54,090
  • High school teachers: $55,330

How Much Teachers Make in South Dakota

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $29,600
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $42,830
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $44,030
    
  • Middle school teachers: $44,970
  • High school teachers: $44,520

How Much Teachers Make in Tennessee

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $27,980
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $48,890
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $51,980
    
  • Middle school teachers: $52,040
  • High school teachers: $53,720

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How Much Teachers Make in Texas

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $30,030
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $56,170
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $56,550
    
  • Middle school teachers: $56,500
  • High school teachers: $57,820

How Much Teachers Make in Utah

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $27,550
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $55,490
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $54,800
    
  • Middle school teachers: $61,710
  • High school teachers: $57,460

How Much Teachers Make in Vermont

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $34,290
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $56,090
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $59,850
    
  • Middle school teachers: $59,540
  • High school teachers: $64,600

How Much Teachers Make in Virginia

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $33,080
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $64,480
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $65,620
    
  • Middle school teachers: $67,790
  • High school teachers: $63,800

How Much Teachers Make in Washington

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $33,190
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $62,360
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $68,600
    
  • Middle school teachers: $70,250
  • High school teachers: $71,470

How Much Teachers Make in West Virginia

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $25,540
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $46,730
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $44,940
    
  • Middle school teachers: $47,060
  • High school teachers: $46,880

How Much Teachers Make in Wisconsin

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $25,440
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $56,790
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $56,760
    
  • Middle school teachers: $57,220
  • High school teachers: $57,930

How Much Teachers Make in Wyoming

• Median annual wages:
  • Preschool teachers: $27,600
    
  • Kindergarten teachers: $57,470
    
  • Elementary school teachers: $58,570
    
  • Middle school teachers: $60,570
  • High school teachers: $60,910

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Methodology: GOBankingRates analyzed the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2019 data on employment and wages by state to find the median annual wage for (1) preschool, (2) elementary school, (3) middle school and (4) high school teachers in every state. The median annual wage for all occupations in each state was provided as supplemental data. All data was collected on and up to date as of July 24, 2020.

About the Author

Gabrielle Olya

Gabrielle joined GOBankingRates in 2017 and brings with her a decade of experience in the journalism industry. Before joining the team, she was a staff writer-reporter for People Magazine and People.com. Her work has also appeared on E! Online, Us Weekly, Patch, Sweety High and Discover Los Angeles, and she has been featured on “Good Morning America” as a celebrity news expert. 

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