Teacher Salary by State, 1970 to 2025

California pays teachers the most at $103,552 in 2024-25, ahead of New York at $98,655. The U.S. average is $74,495.

Free to edit and export · No signup to start

What the data shows

In 2025, California ranks #1 with $103,552, ahead of New York ($98,655) and Washington ($96,589).
Back in 1970, Alaska was #1 with $10,560.
The top spot changed hands 3 times: New Jersey in 2000, New York in 2010 and California in 2024.
Biggest climber: Massachusetts, from #12 in 1970 to #4 in 2025.

About this chart

The top teacher salary has moved from state to state. Alaska led in 1970, 1980 and 1990, New Jersey took over in 2000, New York led from 2010, and California holds the top spot in the latest data at $103,552 for 2024-25. New York is second at $98,655, then Washington ($96,589), Massachusetts ($93,554) and Connecticut ($89,593). Mississippi had the lowest average among the 50 states at $54,975, followed by Florida at $56,663. The U.S. average rose from $8,626 in 1969-70 to $74,495 in 2024-25.

The figures are average public school teacher salaries in nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. Years are the spring of each school year, so 1970 means 1969-70. Data through 2022 comes from the NCES Digest of Education Statistics, which has only selected years, and 2024 and 2025 come from the NEA's 2026 rankings report. The two sources are from different editions, so small revisions are possible, and 2022-23 is not shown. DC is excluded.

The data

Source: 1970-2022: NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Table 211.60 (current dollars, from NEA Estimates of School Statistics); 2024-2025: NEA "Rankings of the States 2026 and Estimates of School Statistics" (August 2026 update), Table B-6. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Years are the spring of each school year (1970 = 1969-70, 2025 = 2024-25). NCES table gives selected years only (1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020-2022); 2023 and 2022-23 are not shown and the two NEA columns (2024 = 2023-24 revised, 2025 = 2024-25) come from a different edition, so small revisions between 2022 and 2024 are possible. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. DC excluded. Selection: 12 highest states in 2025 plus any state with the top salary in any column.

Teacher Salary by State, Avg public school teacher salary, US$, 1970-2025, 1970–2025
Date	California	New York	Washington	Massachusetts	Connecticut	Maryland	Rhode Island	New Jersey	Oregon	Alaska	Pennsylvania	Illinois
1970	$10,315	$10,336	$9,225	$8,764	$9,262	$9,383	$8,776	$9,130	$8,818	$10,560	$8,858	$9,569
1980	$18,020	$19,812	$18,820	$17,253	$16,229	$17,558	$18,002	$17,161	$16,266	$27,210	$16,515	$17,601
1990	$37,998	$38,925	$30,457	$34,712	$40,461	$36,319	$36,057	$35,676	$30,840	$43,153	$33,338	$32,794
2000	$47,680	$51,020	$41,043	$46,580	$51,780	$44,048	$47,041	$52,015	$42,336	$46,462	$48,321	$46,486
2010	$68,203	$71,633	$53,003	$69,273	$64,350	$63,971	$59,686	$65,130	$55,224	$59,672	$59,156	$62,077
2020	$84,531	$87,069	$76,743	$84,290	$78,427	$73,444	$75,336	$76,376	$67,685	$72,010	$70,339	$68,083
2021	$85,856	$90,222	$79,388	$86,755	$79,742	$74,006	$75,966	$77,677	$68,565	$73,061	$71,479	$70,705
2022	$87,275	$92,222	$81,586	$88,903	$81,185	$75,766	$76,852	$79,045	$69,671	$73,722	$72,248	$72,301
2024	$101,084	$95,615	$91,720	$91,014	$86,511	$84,338	$82,189	$82,877	$77,130	$78,256	$76,961	$75,978
2025	$103,552	$98,655	$96,589	$93,554	$89,593	$87,409	$85,772	$84,974	$81,657	$81,450	$79,078	$78,495

Post it

Suggested caption: “Alaska paid teachers most in 1970. In 2025 it's California: $103,552.” Credit the source in your caption; it heads off the 'source?' comments.

Make it yours

Switch between bar, line, column and donut races with one click.
Pick 9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 4:5 for the feed or 16:9 for YouTube.
Change the theme, font, colors and race length, and add your own captions.
Paste your own numbers from Excel or Google Sheets. See the bar chart race maker for tips.

Frequently asked questions

Which state pays teachers the most?

California, with an average public school teacher salary of $103,552 in 2024-25, according to the NEA. New York is second at $98,655 and Washington third at $96,589.

What is the average teacher salary in the U.S.?

$74,495 in 2024-25, per the NEA. In 1969-70 the national average was $8,626 in current dollars, which is not adjusted for inflation.

Which state pays teachers the least?

Mississippi, at an average of $54,975 in 2024-25, followed by Florida at $56,663 among the 50 states, according to the NEA.

Where does this data come from?

1970-2022: NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Table 211.60 (current dollars, from NEA Estimates of School Statistics); 2024-2025: NEA "Rankings of the States 2026 and Estimates of School Statistics" (August 2026 update), Table B-6. Retrieved November 4, 2026. Years are the spring of each school year (1970 = 1969-70, 2025 = 2024-25). NCES table gives selected years only (1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, 2020-2022); 2023 and 2022-23 are not shown and the two NEA columns (2024 = 2023-24 revised, 2025 = 2024-25) come from a different edition, so small revisions between 2022 and 2024 are possible. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. DC excluded. Selection: 12 highest states in 2025 plus any state with the top salary in any column. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

Yes. Open it in the editor, change the title, theme, colors or format (9:16 for Reels and TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube), and export an MP4. Free exports are 720p with a small watermark; Pro ($11.99/month) removes it and adds 1080p, 4K and 60 fps.