As many parents who are suddenly homeschooling children have come to realize, teaching is far from easy. In many ways, it has become much more complicated, as teachers juggle new technologies while trying to teach as many as 20 to 30 kids from afar, or return to the classroom with distancing, hygiene, and infection to worry about. Bottom line: The COVID-19 pandemic has helped make it clear how valuable teachers are, but that value isn’t always reflected by their pay.
A Business.org analysis found that nationally, teachers make about $61,189, which is 6.7% less than the national average salary. And how you fare as a teacher really depends on where you live: Educators in six states actually make more than the average occupations in their area. Here’s a look at the 15 best- and 15 worst-paying states for teachers, compared with average earnings for all full-time, year-round employees.
Related: Helpful Resources for Single Parents Struggling Amid the Pandemic
15th-Best: Wyoming
Average teacher salary: $58,618 Average employee earnings: $60,252 How teacher pay compares: 2.7% less Change since 2010: Down 10.2% Change since 2018: Down 1.6%
14th-Best: Delaware
Average teacher salary: $62,308 Average employee earnings: $63,906 How teacher pay compares: 2.5% less Change since 2010: Down 6.6% Change since 2018: Down 1.2%
Related: How the Pandemic Changed Back-to-School Shopping
13th-Best: Montana
Average teacher salary: $54,034 Average employee earnings: $55,401 How teacher pay compares: 2.5% less Change since 2010: Up 1.1% Change since 2018: Up 0.3%
12th-Best: Washington
Average teacher salary: $72,965 Average employee earnings: $74,808 How teacher pay compares: 2.5% less Change since 2010: Up 17.8% Change since 2018: 28.4%
11th-Best: Massachusetts
Related: What Teachers Are Paid Around the World
Trending on Cheapism
10th-Best: Michigan
Average teacher salary: $61,825 Average employee earnings: $62,736 How teacher pay compares: 1.5% less Change since 2010: Down 8.7% Change since 2018: Down 2.2%
9th-Best: Hawaii
Average teacher salary: $59,757 Average employee earnings: $60,432 How teacher pay compares: 1.1% less Change since 2010: Down 7.10% Change since 2018: Up 1.2%
Related: Simple Ways to Help Teachers and Students Get the Supplies They Need
8th-Best: Rhode Island
Average teacher salary: $67,040 Average employee earnings: $67,216 How teacher pay compares: 0.3% less Change since 2010: Down 3.9% Change since 2018: Down 1.6%
Sign up for our newsletter
7th-Best: Oregon
Average teacher salary: $64,385 Average employee earnings: $64,401 How teacher pay compares: 0% Change since 2010: Down 0.2% Change since 2018: None
Related: Historic Schoolhouses Across America
6th-Best: Iowa
Average teacher salary: $58,140 Average employee earnings: $58,014 How teacher pay compares: 2% more Change since 2010: Up 0.3% Change since 2018: Down 0.10%
5th-Best: Alaska
Average teacher salary: $70,277 Average employee earnings: $68,781 How teacher pay compares: 2.2% more Change since 2010: Up 0.8% Change since 2018: Down 1.2%
Related: How Classrooms Have Changed Over the Past 50 Years
4th-Best: Vermont
Average teacher salary: $61,027 Average employee earnings: $59,416 How teacher pay compares: 2.7% more Change since 2010: Up 6.4% Change since 2018: Down 1.3%
3rd-Best: Pennsylvania
Average teacher salary: $68,141 Average employee earnings: $65,346 How teacher pay compares: 4.3% more Change since 2010: Down 1.4% Change since 2018: Down 1.2%
Related: Thoughtful Gifts for Teachers
https://www.cheapism.com/gifts-for-teachers-16572/
2nd-Best: California
Average teacher salary: $82,282 Average employee earnings: $75,407 How teacher pay compares: 9.1% more Change since 2010: Up 3.2% Change since 2018: Down 0.1%
Best: New York
Average teacher salary: $85,889 Average employee earnings: $77,058 How teacher pay compares: 11.5% more Change since 2010: Up 2.6% Change since 2018: Down 0.1%
Related: 50 Facts You Learned in School That Are Actually Lies
15th-Worst: Indiana
Average teacher salary: $50,937 Average employee earnings: $57,437 How teacher pay compares: 11.3% less Change since 2010: Down 12.8% Change since 2018: Down 1.4%
14th-Worst: North Dakota
Average teacher salary: $54,434 Average employee earnings: $61,702 How teacher pay compares: 13.4% less Change since 2010: Up 6.4% Change since 2018: Down 0.9%
Related: Vintage School Supplies That Take Us Back to Childhood
13th-Worst: Texas
Average teacher salary: $54,155 Average employee earnings: $62,720 How teacher pay compares: 13.7% less Change since 2010: Down 4% Change since 2018: Up 0.5%
12th-Worst: Missouri
Average teacher salary: $50,064 Average employee earnings: $58,145 How teacher pay compares: 13.9% less Change since 2010: Down 5.5% Change since 2018: Down 0.5%
Related: 30 Famous People Who Were Kicked Out of School
11th-Worst: Wisconsin
Average teacher salary: $51,453 Average employee earnings: $60,348 How teacher pay compares: 14.7% less Change since 2010: Down 14.4% Change since 2018: Down 2.1%
10th-Worst: Minnesota
Average teacher salary: $58,221 Average employee earnings: $69,045 How teacher pay compares: 15.7% less Change since 2010: Down 5% Change since 2018: Down 1.3%
9th-Worst: New Jersey
Average teacher salary: $70,212 Average employee earnings: $83,250 How teacher pay compares: 15.9% less Change since 2010: Down 7.7% Change since 2018: Down 1.6%
Related: What Does It Cost to Send a Kid Back to School?
8th-Worst: Kansas
Average teacher salary: $49,800 Average employee earnings: $59,743 How teacher pay compares: 16.6% less Change since 2010: Down 8.7% Change since 2018: Down 1.9%
7th-Worst: Florida
Average teacher salary: $48,395 Average employee earnings: $58,254 How teacher pay compares: 16.9% less Change since 2010: Down 11.3% Change since 2018: Down 1.6%
6th-Worst: Arizona
Average teacher salary: $49,892 Average employee earnings: $60,060 How teacher pay compares: 16.9% less Change since 2010: Down 9.1% Change since 2018: Up 0.3%
Related: What Kids Carry in Their Backpacks Around the Globe
5th-Worst: New Hampshire
Average teacher salary: $58,146 Average employee earnings: $72,025 How teacher pay compares: 19.3% less Change since 2010: Down 3.3% Change since 2018: Down 1.5%
4th-Worst: Utah
Average teacher salary: $50,342 Average employee earnings: $63,026 How teacher pay compares: 20.1% less Change since 2010: Down 6.1% Change since 2018: Down 0.7%
Related: What Kids Eat for School Lunch Around the World
3rd-Worst: District of Columbia
Average teacher salary: $78,477 Average employee earnings: $99,557 How teacher pay compares: 21.2% less Change since 2010: Up 4% Change since 2018: Up 0.5%
2nd-Worst: Colorado
Average teacher salary: $53,301 Average employee earnings: $69,338 How teacher pay compares: 23.1% less Change since 2010: Down 7.3% Change since 2018: Down 0.7%
Worst: Virginia
Average teacher salary: $52,466 Average employee earnings: $72,833 How teacher pay compares: 28% less Change since 2010: Down 10.2% Change since 2018: Down 1.1%
Related: 50 Tips for Back-to-School Savings
