10 US states where teachers earn more than the median salary
Teachers are an important pillar in education, though sometimes not paid enough. Learn about the states in which educators earn more than the median salary.
Teaching is an important and difficult job. Educating minds comes with a lot of responsibility, but sometimes the pay is low.
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wages report, the average annual salary of an elementary school teacher in the United States is $68,000.
According to the same report, the median salary for high school teachers is $67,790 a year. However, the pay varies from one state to another in the country, and there are some where the salary is higher than average.
The 10 US states where teachers earn more than the median salary
According to an analysis by GOBankingRates, based on BLS data on median salaries for elementary, middle, and high school teachers, these are the 10 states where teachers earn more than average:
California
Golden State teachers are the highest paid in the country, with an average salary that is nearly $20,000 higher than the average for California workers in all other occupations. The average salary for teachers is an average salary of $92,687 and the state average salary for all occupations is $73,220. However, this is one of the states with the highest cost of living in the country.
New York
New York ranks second in teacher salaries, with a median salary of $92,683. That's $17,813 more than the state average for all occupations. Like California, New York is one of the states with the highest cost of living.
Washington
Teacher salaries exceed the paychecks of other workers in the state by nearly $15,000, for a median salary of $86,843, while that for all other occupations is $72,350.
Massachusetts
Teachers in the state earn considerably more money than the rest of the workers. The average salary for teachers is $84,627, while that for all other occupations is $76,600.
Connecticut
The median salary for a teacher is $81,810, while the median salary for all occupations is $69,310.
Oregon
Oregon teachers earn $16,047 more than the average for all other occupations. The median salary for elementary, middle, and high school teachers is $79,087, while the median salary for all occupations in the state is $62,680.
New Jersey
The median salary for teachers is $77,993, while the median salary for all occupations in the state is $70,890.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the median salary for teachers is $75,067, nearly $10,000 more than the median salary for all occupations in the state ($64,530).
Alaska
Although the average salary for teachers is $74,197, compared to $66,130, which is the median salary for all occupations in the state, the cost of living in Alaska is very high, with annual expenses of about $84,731.
Pennsylvania
Teachers earn $13,560 more than the median salary for all other occupations in Pennsylvania. However, the cost of living is also very high in this state. The median salary for teachers is $72,030 and the median salary for all occupations in the state is $58,470.