The States Where Teachers Receive the Highest Salaries
Teacher pay can swing widely from one state to another, and those differences tell you a lot about how each place supports its public schools. Some states have raised salaries to keep experienced educators in the classroom, while others fall behind as living costs rise and turnover grows.
These gaps usually come from a mix of tax structures, union influence, and political priorities rather than school budgets alone. For many teachers, that landscape shapes where they work, how stable their careers feel, and what their future looks like. Focusing on the states with the highest average salaries shows where education is backed with meaningful investment.
California
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Large district budgets and constant enrollment pressure have pushed California schools to offer some of the country’s highest pay. Teachers here earn over $101,000 on average, partly to compete with the state’s expensive housing markets and persistent staffing gaps.
New York
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According to the NEA’s latest report, New York teachers earn an average of $95,615. NCES data also places New York at the top of its national wage index. Strong collective bargaining laws play a significant role, as the NEA notes that states with bargaining agreements pay teachers 24% more on average than those without them.
Massachusetts
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Education consistently ranks as a funding priority in Massachusetts, and that shows up in teacher paychecks. Most districts offer incentives for advanced degrees, which pushes the state average near $92,000. A focus on classroom quality and teacher preparation also helps justify higher compensation across the board.
Washington
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Teachers’ pay in this region saw a notable boost after a court ruling reshaped the way Washington funds schools. Today, salaries average around $91,700. Districts that once offered below-average wages now have the budget to match neighboring areas, and schools continue to adjust pay to attract new hires.
District of Columbia
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An average salary of $86,663 places Washington, D.C., near the top of the national pay scale. The figure factors in performance bonuses and structured annual raises introduced to reduce turnover and offset the city’s high living costs. With these measures in place, the district remains one of the highest-paying public education employers in the country.
Connecticut
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Teachers in Connecticut work in one of the most credentialed education workforces nationwide. Salaries average around $86,500, with many districts using graduate degrees and years of service as clear benchmarks for raises. Consistent district funding helps schools maintain stable pay even when budgets tighten elsewhere.
Maryland
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Recruitment pressures in counties near Washington, D.C., pushed Maryland schools to offer more. Many districts raised teacher salaries to keep up with demand, which resulted in an average salary just above $84,000. Statewide education reforms have helped keep teaching financially viable and draw more people into the profession.
New Jersey
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Strong union presence and solid property tax funding help New Jersey schools maintain competitive salaries. Teachers here average nearly $83,000, and most contracts include structured step increases. Suburban districts often pay higher than urban ones, but the baseline remains strong throughout the state.
Rhode Island
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Neighboring states’ high pay often influences what Rhode Island teachers can negotiate. Average salaries hover around $80,000, and most districts operate under union contracts. Because of the state’s size, differences between districts are minimal, and teacher compensation has remained relatively stable for years.
Alaska
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Remote geography and high living costs push Alaska to offer more than most would expect. Teachers average over $78,000, but many rural districts offer additional incentives, such as housing or relocation support, to fill vacancies. Urban areas like Anchorage pay well too, though they follow more traditional salary structures.