America’s public education system is facing a staffing crisis. According to a survey from the U.S. Department of Education, about 80% of public schools with open teaching positions reported difficulty filling vacancies with qualified candidates in each of the last two years. And in much of the country, teacher turnover and recruitment challenges are partially due to low salaries.

Public school teachers in the United States typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, but decades of stagnating wages have made teaching a less viable career option. A recent report from the Economic Policy Institute found that teachers earned 26.4% less in 2022 than college graduates working in other professions – the largest teacher wage gap ever reported. As recently as 1996, teachers made only 6.1% less than other similarly educated professionals. Even when accounting for benefits, including summer breaks and pensions, teachers still make about 17% less than they otherwise could in another occupation. (Here is a look at the 25 worst jobs in America.)

Still, public school funding in the U.S. is largely controlled by state and local governments. As a result, teacher pay varies considerably across the country – and in some states, teacher salaries are far higher than in others.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. determined the best and worst paying states for teachers. States are listed in alphabetical order with rankings of annual median wages for elementary, middle, and high school teachers. All teacher wage data is current as of May 2022.

Teachers working in grades 1-12 in the U.S. can earn as little as $46,310 a year or as much as $95,450, depending on the state. In 31 states, the typical elementary school teacher earns less than the typical bachelor’s degree holder, and in about half of all states, middle and high school teachers generally earn less than other college educated professionals.

The highest paying states for teachers are overwhelmingly concentrated in the Northeast and in the West. These states tend to have higher-earning populations overall, but higher salaries in these places are offset somewhat by a higher overall cost of living. (Here is a look at the 50 best places for teachers.)

Most of the lowest-paying states for teachers, meanwhile, are in the South. In many of these states, teachers typically earn less than $50,000 a year. Though lower teacher wages in these places are offset somewhat by lower than average living expenses, most other job occupations in these states open to bachelor’s degree holders are higher paying.

Alabama

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $57,930 (13th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $58,500 (16th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $57,140 (16th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Alabama public schools: 17.7 to 1 (9th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Alabama, 2022: $56,640 (15th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 11.9% lower than avg. (2nd lowest of 50 states)

Alaska

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $77,790 (9th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $72,030 (10th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $64,010 (11th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Alaska public schools: 17.6 to 1 (10th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Alaska, 2022: $67,321 (13th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 4.4% higher than avg. (8th highest of 50 states)

Arizona

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $56,880 (12th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $48,160 (4th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $48,480 (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Arizona public schools: 23.6 to 1 (the highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Arizona, 2022: $63,471 (19th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 3.3% lower than avg. (22nd highest of 50 states)

Arkansas

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $49,260 (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $49,460 (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $48,590 (6th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Arkansas public schools: 12.9 to 1 (10th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Arkansas, 2022: $53,117 (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 10.6% lower than avg. (4th lowest of 50 states)

California

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $95,260 (the highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $92,330 (2nd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $92,860 (the highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across California public schools: 22.7 to 1 (2nd highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in California, 2022: $75,688 (5th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 11.8% higher than avg. (2nd highest of 50 states)

Colorado

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,320 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $60,050 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $59,280 (20th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Colorado public schools: 16.9 to 1 (14th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Colorado, 2022: $69,493 (9th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 3.0% higher than avg. (10th highest of 50 states)

Connecticut

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $78,860 (7th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $79,930 (7th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $81,330 (4th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Connecticut public schools: 12.4 to 1 (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Connecticut, 2022: $75,597 (6th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 2.6% higher than avg. (11th highest of 50 states)

Delaware

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $74,160 (12th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $63,530 (14th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,270 (25th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Delaware public schools: 14.4 to 1 (20th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Delaware, 2022: $64,139 (17th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 2.3% lower than avg. (20th highest of 50 states)

Florida

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,930 (20th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $51,050 (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $58,440 (18th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Florida public schools: 17.2 to 1 (12th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Florida, 2022: $56,243 (14th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 1.4% higher than avg. (15th highest of 50 states)

Georgia

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,790 (21st highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $62,830 (18th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,620 (18th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Georgia public schools: 15.0 to 1 (23rd highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Georgia, 2022: $63,803 (18th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 4.2% lower than avg. (24th highest of 50 states)

Hawaii

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $60,560 (20th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $63,030 (15th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,750 (16th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Hawaii public schools: 14.8 to 1 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Hawaii, 2022: $61,880 (23rd highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 13.2% higher than avg. (the highest of 50 states)

Idaho

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $59,390 (17th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $49,160 (7th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $50,550 (12th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Idaho public schools: 18.1 to 1 (8th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Idaho, 2022: $54,796 (10th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.2% lower than avg. (17th lowest of 50 states)

Illinois

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $63,050 (16th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $61,820 (22nd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $62,190 (14th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Illinois public schools: 14.6 to 1 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Illinois, 2022: $68,489 (11th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 1.4% higher than avg. (16th highest of 50 states)

Indiana

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $58,200 (16th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $51,730 (12th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $48,610 (7th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Indiana public schools: 17.0 to 1 (13th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Indiana, 2022: $58,609 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 7.3% lower than avg. (20th lowest of 50 states)

Iowa

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $60,480 (19th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $59,080 (18th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,380 (25th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Iowa public schools: 14.5 to 1 (21st lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Iowa, 2022: $58,561 (20th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 10.4% lower than avg. (5th lowest of 50 states)

Kansas

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $58,060 (14th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $58,670 (17th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $50,850 (13th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Kansas public schools: 13.6 to 1 (13th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Kansas, 2022: $58,583 (21st lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.8% lower than avg. (12th lowest of 50 states)

Kentucky

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $59,600 (18th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $57,340 (14th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $57,390 (17th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Kentucky public schools: 16.4 to 1 (15th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Kentucky, 2022: $55,682 (12th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 10.9% lower than avg. (3rd lowest of 50 states)

Louisiana

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $51,130 (9th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $49,730 (9th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $49,460 (10th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Louisiana public schools: 18.4 to 1 (6th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Louisiana, 2022: $55,685 (13th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.7% lower than avg. (13th lowest of 50 states)

Maine

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $60,880 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $61,790 (23rd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,410 (20th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Maine public schools: 12.2 to 1 (4th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Maine, 2022: $53,866 (7th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 2.8% lower than avg. (21st highest of 50 states)

Maryland

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $75,670 (11th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $62,880 (17th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $63,140 (12th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Maryland public schools: 14.8 to 1 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Maryland, 2022: $76,711 (3rd highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 6.2% higher than avg. (7th highest of 50 states)

Massachusetts

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $79,460 (5th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $80,480 (5th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $80,070 (6th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Massachusetts public schools: 12.8 to 1 (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Massachusetts, 2022: $77,137 (the highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 6.6% higher than avg. (6th highest of 50 states)

Michigan

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $62,990 (17th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $62,390 (20th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $62,450 (13th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Michigan public schools: 17.6 to 1 (10th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Michigan, 2022: $63,077 (20th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 5.7% lower than avg. (24th lowest of 50 states)

Minnesota

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $62,770 (18th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $62,050 (21st highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,980 (15th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Minnesota public schools: 16.1 to 1 (17th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Minnesota, 2022: $68,504 (10th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 1.6% lower than avg. (19th highest of 50 states)

Mississippi

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $47,690 (the lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $46,820 (the lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $46,310 (the lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Mississippi public schools: 14.8 to 1 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Mississippi, 2022: $50,731 (the lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 13.4% lower than avg. (the lowest of 50 states)

Missouri

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $49,410 (6th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $56,510 (13th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $49,160 (9th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Missouri public schools: 13.2 to 1 (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Missouri, 2022: $57,693 (19th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.0% lower than avg. (18th lowest of 50 states)

Montana

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $49,650 (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $62,440 (19th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,150 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Montana public schools: 14.0 to 1 (16th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Montana, 2022: $50,894 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.4% lower than avg. (15th lowest of 50 states)

Nebraska

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $60,800 (21st lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $60,070 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $59,600 (21st lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Nebraska public schools: 13.7 to 1 (14th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Nebraska, 2022: $58,817 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.2% lower than avg. (16th lowest of 50 states)

Nevada

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $67,540 (14th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $65,450 (11th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $58,800 (19th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Nevada public schools: 19.5 to 1 (5th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Nevada, 2022: $59,999 (25th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 4.5% lower than avg. (25th highest of 50 states)

New Hampshire

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $64,440 (15th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $63,000 (16th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,710 (17th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across New Hampshire public schools: 12.1 to 1 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in New Hampshire, 2022: $67,982 (12th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 2.5% higher than avg. (12th highest of 50 states)

New Jersey

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $77,960 (8th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $77,310 (8th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $75,360 (8th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across New Jersey public schools: 12.1 to 1 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in New Jersey, 2022: $76,725 (2nd highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 9.1% higher than avg. (4th highest of 50 states)

New Mexico

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,140 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $65,050 (12th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,190 (22nd highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across New Mexico public schools: 15.2 to 1 (21st highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in New Mexico, 2022: $55,322 (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 10.1% lower than avg. (6th lowest of 50 states)

New York

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $84,070 (3rd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $95,450 (the highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $80,440 (5th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across New York public schools: 12.4 to 1 (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in New York, 2022: $71,567 (8th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 9.5% higher than avg. (3rd highest of 50 states)

North Carolina

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $48,980 (4th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $48,790 (5th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $48,290 (4th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across North Carolina public schools: 15.5 to 1 (20th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in North Carolina, 2022: $59,713 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 6.2% lower than avg. (23rd lowest of 50 states)

North Dakota

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $51,290 (10th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $59,910 (21st lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $50,220 (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across North Dakota public schools: 12.5 to 1 (7th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in North Dakota, 2022: $56,830 (16th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.9% lower than avg. (11th lowest of 50 states)

Ohio

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $73,520 (13th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $75,250 (9th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $64,450 (10th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Ohio public schools: 15.9 to 1 (18th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Ohio, 2022: $62,605 (22nd highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 7.5% lower than avg. (19th lowest of 50 states)

Oklahoma

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $49,510 (7th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $48,090 (3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $47,340 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Oklahoma public schools: 16.2 to 1 (16th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Oklahoma, 2022: $53,732 (6th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 9.7% lower than avg. (8th lowest of 50 states)

Oregon

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $78,920 (6th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $80,220 (6th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $78,330 (7th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Oregon public schools: 20.2 to 1 (4th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Oregon, 2022: $62,676 (21st highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 3.0% higher than avg. (9th highest of 50 states)

Pennsylvania

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $75,940 (10th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $64,750 (13th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $67,000 (9th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Pennsylvania public schools: 13.9 to 1 (15th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Pennsylvania, 2022: $64,722 (16th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 3.6% lower than avg. (23rd highest of 50 states)

Rhode Island

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $80,790 (4th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $83,210 (3rd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $82,330 (2nd highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Rhode Island public schools: 13.4 to 1 (12th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Rhode Island, 2022: $67,148 (14th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 2.1% higher than avg. (14th highest of 50 states)

South Carolina

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $58,090 (15th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $57,510 (15th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $50,970 (14th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across South Carolina public schools: 14.7 to 1 (23rd lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in South Carolina, 2022: $57,407 (17th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 6.3% lower than avg. (22nd lowest of 50 states)

South Dakota

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $48,010 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $48,960 (6th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $47,890 (3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across South Dakota public schools: 14.1 to 1 (18th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in South Dakota, 2022: $52,325 (3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 9.9% lower than avg. (7th lowest of 50 states)

Tennessee

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $53,000 (11th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $50,330 (10th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $51,170 (15th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Tennessee public schools: 15.7 to 1 (19th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Tennessee, 2022: $57,539 (18th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 9.1% lower than avg. (10th lowest of 50 states)

Texas

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,600 (24th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $61,380 (25th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,390 (21st highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Texas public schools: 15.1 to 1 (22nd highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Texas, 2022: $64,905 (15th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 1.5% lower than avg. (18th highest of 50 states)

Utah

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $62,370 (19th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $59,590 (20th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,450 (24th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Utah public schools: 22.6 to 1 (3rd highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Utah, 2022: $60,973 (25th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 5.4% lower than avg. (25th lowest of 50 states)

Vermont

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,380 (25th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $59,580 (19th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $61,600 (19th highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Vermont public schools: 10.8 to 1 (the lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Vermont, 2022: $54,163 (9th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 1.3% lower than avg. (17th highest of 50 states)

Virginia

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,630 (23rd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $60,410 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,210 (24th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Virginia public schools: 14.9 to 1 (24th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Virginia, 2022: $73,893 (7th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 2.3% higher than avg. (13th highest of 50 states)

Washington

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $93,810 (2nd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $82,290 (4th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $81,910 (3rd highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Washington public schools: 18.4 to 1 (6th highest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Washington, 2022: $76,376 (4th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.9% higher than avg. (5th highest of 50 states)

West Virginia

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $48,170 (3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $47,800 (2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $48,660 (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across West Virginia public schools: 14.0 to 1 (16th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in West Virginia, 2022: $52,887 (4th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 9.2% lower than avg. (9th lowest of 50 states)

Wisconsin

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,550 (25th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $60,450 (25th lowest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,080 (22nd lowest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Wisconsin public schools: 14.3 to 1 (19th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Wisconsin, 2022: $61,428 (24th highest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 6.7% lower than avg. (21st lowest of 50 states)

Wyoming

• Median wage for high school teachers in 2022: $61,780 (22nd highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for middle school teachers in 2022: $61,530 (24th highest of 50 states)
• Median wage for elementary school teachers in 2022: $60,680 (23rd highest of 50 states)
• Student-teacher ratio across Wyoming public schools: 12.8 to 1 (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Median earnings, all bachelor’s degree holders in Wyoming, 2022: $54,129 (8th lowest of 50 states)
• Cost of living: 8.6% lower than avg. (14th lowest of 50 states)

Methodology

To determine how much teachers make in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. States are listed in alphabetical order with rankings of annual median wages for elementary, middle, and high school teachers. All teacher wage data is current as of May 2022 and excludes special education, career, and technical education teachers.

Data on the median earnings of working adults with a bachelor’s degree is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Additional supplemental data on cost of living in each state is from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and is current as of 2021.

We also reviewed the student-to-teacher ratio in each state’s public school system for the 2019-2020 school year using data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

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