Here’s How Much New Teachers Make in Every State
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there has been a shortage of teachers across the country. The stress of teaching remotely — along with being underpaid — are two of the main factors to blame for this historic lack of educators. How much new teachers can expect to make varies slightly by state, with the national average being $41,843 per year. This figure is below the average salary of all workers in the United States, which comes in at $53,490.
Some good news is that once you work as a teacher for a few years, you can expect to earn well above the national average, with most seasoned teachers earning around $62,707. Until then, here’s what new teachers can expect to earn in each state.
Alabama
- Starting Salary: $41,163
Alaska
- Starting Salary: $49,907
Arizona
- Starting Salary: $40,554
Arkansas
- Starting Salary: $35,803
California
- Starting Salary: $49,933
Colorado
- Starting Salary: $35,724
Connecticut
- Starting Salary: $47,477
Delaware
- Starting Salary: $43,348
District of Columbia
- Starting Salary: $56,313 (highest in the country)
Florida
- Starting Salary: $44,040
Georgia
- Starting Salary: $38,692
Hawaii
- Starting Salary: $50,123
Idaho
- Starting Salary: $39,842
Illinois
- Starting Salary: $41,228
Indiana
- Starting Salary: $38,158
Iowa
- Starting Salary: $38,515
Kansas
- Starting Salary: $39,100
Kentucky
- Starting Salary: $37,373
Louisiana
- Starting Salary: $42,185
Maine
- Starting Salary: $37,580
Maryland
- Starting Salary: $48,510
Massachusetts
- Starting Salary: $48,372
Michigan
- Starting Salary: $37,820
Minnesota
- Starting Salary: $41,234
Mississippi
- Starting Salary: $36,653
Missouri
- Starting Salary: $33,234
Montana
- Starting Salary: $32,495 (lowest in the country)
Nebraska
- Starting Salary: $36,491
Nevada
- Starting Salary: $41,277
New Hampshire
- Starting Salary: $39,737
New Jersey
- Starting Salary: $54,053
New Mexico
- Starting Salary: $41,737
New York
- Starting Salary: $47,618
North Carolina
- Starting Salary: $37,127
North Dakota
- Starting Salary: $40,907
Ohio
- Starting Salary: $38,231
Oklahoma
- Starting Salary: $38,074
Oregon
- Starting Salary: $39,338
Pennsylvania
- Starting Salary: $46,991
Rhode Island
- Starting Salary: $44,592
South Carolina
- Starting Salary: $37,704
South Dakota
- Starting Salary: $40,128
Tennessee
- Starting Salary: $39,024
Texas
- Starting Salary: $44,527
Utah
- Starting Salary: $44,349
Vermont
- Starting Salary: $40,810
Virginia
- Starting Salary: $42,251
Washington
- Starting Salary: $51,040
West Virginia
- Starting Salary: $37,987
Wisconsin
- Starting Salary: $38,961
Wyoming
- Starting Salary: $46,826
More From GOBankingRates
- Don't Buy a Car at a Dealership on This Day of the Week
- Grant Cardone: Here's How Wealthy People Invest Their Money for Retirement
- 3 Ways to Recession Proof Your Retirement
- 37 Life Hacks That Will Save You Money
All starting salaries are sourced from the National Education Association for the 2020-2021 school year. Data sourced: Oct. 3, 2022.Â
