How Much Does a Teacher Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$63,970
Teachers in the U.S. earn a median of $63,970 a year. Half of teachers earn more than $63,970 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $104,340.
Pay percentiles for teachers
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,960 |
| 25th | $57,710 |
| 50th (median) | $63,970 |
| 75th | $81,450 |
| 90th | $104,340 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for teachers, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for teachers
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 | +60% |
| California | $99,650 | +56% |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 | +51% |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 | +47% |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 | +42% |
| New York | $85,760 | +34% |
| Connecticut | $80,600 | +26% |
| Alaska | $79,260 | +24% |
| New Jersey | $78,200 | +22% |
| Maryland | $77,680 | +21% |
| United States | $63,970 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many teachers are there?
BLS counts about 1,388,390 teachers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education”. The most jobs are in California (155,160), Texas (116,260) and New York (101,410).
The mean (average) annual wage is $72,650, higher than the median of $63,970.
Frequently asked questions
How much do teachers make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for teachers, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $63,970.
Which state pays teachers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for teachers at $102,350, +60% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for teachers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of teachers earn less than $47,960 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.