What is the average salary for a school teacher in the United States?

What is the average annual salary for public school teachers in the United States, including both elementary and secondary levels for the 2022-2023 school year, and how does this figure account for potential variations across different states and regions?

Based on the most recent comprehensive data available:

1. Primary Source – National Education Association (NEA):

   • The average public school teacher salary in the United States for the 2022-2023 school year was $66,397. This figure represents the average base salary for full-time public school teachers across all states and experience levels.

2. Secondary Source – Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

   • The May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) from the BLS reported:
     • $58,260 as the mean annual wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education.
     • $60,320 as the mean annual wage for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
     • $62,870 as the mean annual wage for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
   • The BLS data typically yields slightly lower averages than the NEA survey, often reflecting differences in methodology, scope (e.g., excluding some states or roles included by NEA), and the specific reporting period.

Factors Significantly Influencing Teacher Salaries:

• Experience Level: Salaries increase incrementally based on years of teaching experience and number of college credits or degrees earned beyond a bachelor’s. Experienced teachers earn substantially more than first-year teachers.
• Geographic Location: Salaries vary dramatically by state and even by district within a state.
  • Highest Average States (Examples): New York, California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Alaska, Washington.
  • Lowest Average States (Examples): Mississippi, Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia, South Dakota.
  • Differences often reflect cost of living, local funding structures (property taxes), and state funding allocations.
• Type of School: Public school salaries are generally higher and more structured than private school salaries, which can vary widely.
• Education Level: Teachers holding advanced degrees (Master’s Specialist, Doctorate) receive higher base pay scales in most districts.
• Subject Matter or Role: Teachers in high-demand shortage areas (like Special Education, STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, or Bilingual Education) or those taking on significant additional roles (e.g., department head, mentor teacher, coaching) may earn stipends or higher salary tiers. Additional leadership positions (e.g., assistant principal, principal) command significantly higher salaries.
• Collective Bargaining: In states with strong teacher unions, negotiated contracts often establish detailed salary schedules based on experience and education.

Additional Context:

• Total Compensation: Teacher salaries often represent only part of the total compensation package, which also includes benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans (often defined-benefit pensions), paid leave, and professional development opportunities. The value of these benefits can add 20-30% or more to the base salary.
• Trends: Teacher salaries nationally have struggled to keep pace with inflation over the past decade. While average salaries have nominally increased, the purchasing power for many teachers, particularly starting teachers in lower-paying districts and states, has often decreased.
• Starting Salaries: The average starting salary for public school teachers in 2022-2023 was $44,290 according to the NEA, though this varies greatly by location and district.

In summary, while the most commonly cited recent average public school teacher salary is $66,397 (NEA, 2022-2023), actual salaries range widely based on experience, location, education, role, and the specific school district or state.