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The Highest and Lowest Teacher Salaries in the U.S.

October 20, 2014 by Michelle Manno

Are you curious about teaching salaries? A better question to ask might be, Where are you planning on teaching?

The National Education Association has reported that many states have seen a large boost in teacher salaries, despite a small overall drop in teacher pay (-3.2%) as of 2002–2003. New York (up 11.9 percent), Wyoming (15.2%), North Dakota (10.1%), District of Columbia (10.1%) and Massachusetts (10%) have all seen jumps in public educator paydays. Three of those states (NY, MA, and DC) are in the reigning top 10 for salaries.

It seems that one of the determining factors for rate-of-pay comes down to your zip code. Here is a look at some of the highest — and lowest — paying districts and schools in the best compensating states for teachers:

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Highest Lowest Teacher Salaries
  • NEW YORK — Average teaching salary: $75,279

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013), New York is the second highest paying state for elementary school teachers, with an average mean wage of $72,840.

      • Highest paying state for middle school: $72,840
      • Highest paying state for high school: $75,250

According to the Empire Center for Public Policy, New York’s top paying school districts* in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. Scarsdale: $137,017.00
      2. Jericho: $132,249.00
      3. Katonah-Lewisboro: $121,644.00
      4. Mineola: $120,641.00
      5. Bronxville: $119,295.00

*Median salary

SeeThroughNewYork reports that the Herk-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES is New York’s lowest-paying school district, with a median salary of $41,205.

      • 5th highest paying state for middle school: $67,950
      • 5th highest paying state for high school: $69,340

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts’ top-paying school districts* in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. Salem Community Charter School: $98,290
      2. Concord Carlisle: $95,947
      3. Lincoln Sudbury: $94,087
      4. Sherborn: $91,848
      5. Worcester: $91,504

*Average salary

The Massachusetts DOESE reports that the Veritas Preparatory Charter School is Massachusetts’ lowest-paying school district, with an average salary of $33,458.

According to the Washington Post, D.C’s top-paying* school districts in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. DCPS: $78,095
      2. Shining Stars: $70,000
      3. Thurgood Marshall Academy: $63,846
      4. Howard U MS for Math and Science: $63,000
      5. Paul: $62,316

*Average salary

The Washington Post also reports that Mundo Verde is D.C’s lowest-paying public school, with an average salary of $38,856

      • 5th highest paying state for elementary school: $68,580
      • 2nd highest paying state for middle school: $69,660

According to ConnCan, Connecticut’s top-paying* school districts in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. Greenwhich: $52, 337
      2. Trumbull: $52, 299
      3. Region 9: $51,709
      4. Franklin: $51,205
      5. Avon: $49,886

*Average starting salary

ConnCann also reports that Thomaston is Connecticut’s lowest-paying school district, with an average starting salary of $37,118

      • 4th highest paying state for elementary school: $69,320

According to the California Department of Education, California’s top-paying* schools in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. Mountain View-Los Altos Union High: $103,172
      2. St. Helena Unified: $99,099
      3. Montecito Union Elementary: $98,588
      4. Menlo Park City Elementary: $95,258
      5. Los Gatos-Saratoga Jr. Union High: $93,896

*Average salary

The California Department of Education also reports that Caliente Union is California’s lowest-paying school district, with an average salary of $35,608.

      • 3rd highest paying state for high school: $70,870

According to Patch, New Jersey’s top-paying* schools in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. Northern Valley Regional: $90,228
      2. Ocean City: $88,434
      3. Carlstadt-East Rutherford: $87,502
      4. East Rutherford: $86,624
      5. Edison: $84,159

*Average salary

Patch also reports that Milltown is New Jersey’s lowest-paying school district, with an average salary of $45,000.

  • ALASKA — Average teaching salary: $65,468
      • 3rd highest paying state for elementary school: $70,190
      • 3rd highest paying state for middle school: $89,600
      • 2nd highest paying state for secondary school: $71,040

According to the Association of Alaska School Boards, Alaska’s top-paying* school districts in 2010–2011 were as follows:

      1. Valdez: $70,290
      2. Lower Kuskokwim: $69,541
      3. North Slope: $69,241
      4. Kodiak: $68,607
      5. Aleutians East: $67,109

*Average salary

The Association of Alaska School Boards also reports that Chugach is Alaska’s lowest-paying school district, with an average salary of $40,034

  • MARYLAND — Average teaching salary: $65,265

According to Maryland Public Schools, Maryland’s top-paying* school districts in October 2013 were as follows:

      • Montgomery: $74,353
      • Calvert: $73,755
      • Howard: $68,233
      • Baltimore City: $65,785
      • Prince George’s: $64,988

*Average Salary

Maryland Public Schools also reports that Dorchester is Maryland’s lowest-paying school district, with an average salary of $51,678

According to OpenPAgov.org, Pennsylvania’s top-paying* school districts in 2012–2013 were as follows:

      1. Council Rock School District (SD): $92,559
      2. Upper Merion SD: $88,332
      3. Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: $87,511
      4. Lower Merion: $87,147
      5. Centennial SD: $86,921

*Average Salary

OpenPAgov.org also reports that Central PA Digital Learning Foundation is Pennsylvania’s lowest-paying school district, with an average salary of $12,302

      • Highest paying state for elementary school: $73,040
      • 4th highest paying state for middle school: $68,180

According to the Rhode Island Association of School Committees (RIASC) Rhode Island’s top-paying* school districts for starting teachers in 2012–2013 is as follows:

      1. Westerly: $47,087
      2. Coventry: $43,007
      3. Newport: $42,417
      4. CHAIRHO: $41,243
      5. Barrington: $41,237

*Average Starting Salary

RIASC also reports that Foster/Glocester is Rhode Island’s lowest-paying school district for starting teachers, with an average salary of $35,179

Learn more earning your teaching credentials and how to become a teacher in your state.