Finding accurate beginning and average salaries for teachers by state is a tricky business. In our effort to build the most accurate list of teacher salaries by state, we have averaged the salary from multiple sources, including the National Education Association, job surveys, and private data analyses to create the Salary Comfort Index.
2011-2012 Average Starting Teacher Salaries by State
HIGHLIGHTS
2011-12 National Average Starting Teacher Salary: $35,672
State
Avg. Starting Salary
Alabama
$36,201
Alaska
$42,928
Arkansas
$32,478
Arizona
$31,689
California*
$41,131
Colorado
$32,095
Connecticut
$42,450
District of Columbia
$51,539
Delaware
$39,099
Federal Education Association
$44,416
Florida
$35,236
Georgia
$33,673
Hawaii
$38,479
Iowa
$32,895
Idaho
$29,915
Illinois
$36,636
Indiana
$33,574
Kansas
$32,964
Kentucky
$35,075
Louisiana
$38,655
Massachusetts
$40,462
Maryland
$43,003
Maine
$31,580
Michigan
$34,724
Minnesota
$34,025
Missouri
$29,857
Mississippi
$31,187
Montana
$26,734
North Carolina
$30,779
North Dakota
$31,065
Nebraska
$30,086
New Hampshire
$33,871
New Jersey
$48,101
New Mexico
$32,092
Nevada
$35,449
New York
$44,370
Ohio
$33,035
Oklahoma
$31,600
Oregon
$33,241
Pennsylvania
$41,192
Rhode Island
$39,006
South Carolina
$31,685
South Dakota
$29,308
Tennessee
$33,287
Texas*
$34,234
Utah
$33,268
Virginia
$36,737
Vermont
$34,709
Washington
$36,474
Wisconsin
$33,170
West Virginia
$32,435
Wyoming
$43,053
*2010-2011
US Teacher Salaries & Career Information
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Necessary traits
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2008-2018 Projected % Growth
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Every few years the American Federation of Teachers releases a Teacher Salary Trendsreport about teacher salaries across the United States. This information helps teachers decide where to teach and how much they should earn. The latest report indicated that the average teacher salary was $47,602. The Federation indicated that unfortunately, teachers are struggling to find housing in their areas that they can afford on their salaries. As more teachers pursue additional education after receiving their bachelor’s degree, their student loan debt increases dramatically. New teachers may not start at an average teacher salary and could therefore struggle even more than veteran teachers, who may have higher salaries.
In a profession with increasingly high turnover and recruiting issues, boosting the salaries of new teachers could help to increase the amount of time they spend with a particular school or school district. Additionally, wide discrepancies between teacher salaries from region to region also affect the likelihood that a qualified teacher will work for a school with low salaries. Some school districts offer high teacher salaries and great benefits, while others do not. With the rising price of gas and other inflation, teachers must make difficult choices when considering where to work. Again, the discrepancy in teacher salary from district to district can hinder the likelihood of retaining veteran teachers. Before accepting a position, teachers should research the salaries from district to district in their areas. Ask other teachers where they enjoy working and for a list of pros and cons of a particular school or school district.
The most recent report included a list of teacher salaries by state. The state with the highest average teacher salary was Connecticut, at $57,760. California was a very close second, where the average teacher salary is $57,604. New Jersey teachers make approximately $56,635 per year. Rounding out the top five were Illinois and Rhode Island, with the average teacher salary at $56,494 and $56,432, respectively. The state with the lowest average teacher salary was South Dakota, at $34,039.
According to CBSalary.com, the average teacher salary by city was as follows:
Springfield, IL – $48,015
Chicago, IL – $53,713
Atlanta, GA – $35,903
Savannah, GA – $25,008
Orlando, FL – $31,684
Tampa, FL – $36,630
Miami, FL – $34,501
Teacher salary also varies according to education level of the teacher. A teacher with a four year bachelor’s degree may make less than a teacher with a master’s degree. The ranges for teacher salary in Chicago, IL vary from $37,372 to $89,620. This wide range obviously incorporates education level and experience of a multitude of teachers. Teacher salary also depends on what school level or subject teachers specialize in. A secondary school teacher may make more than a primary school teacher. In Chicago, a primary school teacher makes approximately $44,480. A secondary school teacher makes about $4,000 more, or $48,180. The average mathematics teacher makes $38,211, while the average science teacher makes $62,391. These teachers may make up to $52,977 or $87,946, respectively. A history teacher at the secondary level makes $38,256. The highest reported income for a history teacher in Chicago is $53,106. These wide ranges include teachers in public and private institutions at a variety of experience levels.
The BLS reports the median annual wage for high-school teachers was $54,270 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field made approximately $84,000, while the bottom 10 percent made approximately $35,940. The highest-paid in the profession work in the metropolitan areas of New York City and Chicago. Compensation is usually subject to years of experience and educational level. Additionally, salaries and benefit packages can differ at public and private institutions.
Mean Salaries Shown
Average High School Teacher Pay vs. All Social Services Jobs
High school teachers make salaries comparable to elementary school teachers and school counselors. Salaries vary a little more for other professionals who might work within the school system. For example, a high school teacher makes more than the average sports coach (although many who choose this vocation also work as teachers), and more than the average social worker.
The highest paid in the high school teacher profession work in the metropolitan areas of Nassau, NY, New York City, NY, and Kingston, NY. The Lawrence & Salem, MA area also pays well, as does the city of Madera, CA.
The annual median wage of a high school teacher working in Lawrence & Salem, MA is $73,760, which is $19,490 more than the average pay in the profession.
According to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the average teacher pay across the United States in the 2006-07 school year was $51,009. The average beginning teacher pay was $35,284. Here is a list of the top ten states for the highest average teacher pay according to statstics from the AFT.
Every few years the American Federation of Teachers releases a 
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