How much does a education teacher make?
The median education teacher in the United States earns $75,350 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all education teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1081.
Education teacher salary range
Pay for education teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,530 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,860. The average (mean) wage of $79,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,530 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,770 | |
| Median (50th) | $75,350 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $97,590 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,860 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Education teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Education teachers earn the most in California at $111,850 a year, and the least in New Hampshire at $49,250. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $111,850 | 3,100 |
| Louisiana | $83,710 | 460 |
| New York | $82,020 | 5,430 |
| District of Columbia | $80,810 | 230 |
| Connecticut | $80,620 | 900 |
| Rhode Island | $80,030 | 190 |
| Massachusetts | $79,980 | 2,050 |
| Michigan | $79,910 | 1,140 |
| Minnesota | $78,950 | 950 |
| Nebraska | $78,950 | 600 |
| Maryland | $78,820 | 870 |
| Arizona | $78,520 | 1,590 |
| Vermont | $78,100 | 170 |
| New Jersey | $77,600 | 2,580 |
| North Dakota | $77,540 | 230 |
| Utah | $77,090 | 330 |
| Virginia | $77,060 | 1,630 |
| Maine | $77,050 | 190 |
| Washington | $75,170 | 1,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $74,910 | 3,390 |
| Wisconsin | $74,790 | 1,540 |
| Arkansas | $74,500 | 250 |
| Nevada | $74,240 | 310 |
| Oregon | $73,880 | 1,240 |
| Tennessee | $72,390 | 950 |
| Montana | $70,320 | 130 |
| North Carolina | $70,050 | 2,130 |
| Texas | $68,280 | 6,400 |
| Colorado | $66,870 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $66,690 | 1,270 |
| Wyoming | $66,350 | 80 |
| Indiana | $66,150 | 1,830 |
| Missouri | $65,910 | 1,140 |
| Idaho | $65,720 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $64,830 | 290 |
| Alabama | $63,730 | 840 |
| Florida | $63,640 | 1,290 |
| South Dakota | $63,350 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $63,270 | 320 |
| Kansas | $63,010 | 590 |
| Georgia | $62,510 | 1,750 |
| Ohio | $62,400 | 2,120 |
| Iowa | $62,090 | 690 |
| Mississippi | $61,860 | 430 |
| Illinois | $61,560 | 3,930 |
| Kentucky | $61,450 | 620 |
| Oklahoma | $60,880 | 560 |
| Hawaii | $49,800 | 460 |
| New Hampshire | $49,250 | 630 |
State median wages for education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for education teachers
The BLS projects employment of education teachers to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 77,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 79,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,300 openings a year for education teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an education teacher
The typical entry-level education for education teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an education teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $111,850) and the lowest (New Hampshire, $49,250) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 60,830 people work as education teachers in the United States. At $75,350 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Education teacher salary FAQ
How much does an education teacher make an hour?
Education teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $75,350.
What is the highest education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of education teachers earn more than $126,860 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an education teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for an education teacher is $75,350. The average (mean) wage of $79,350 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an education teacher a well paid job?
At $75,350 a year, an education teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 60,830 people work as education teachers in the United States.
Which state pays education teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for education teachers at $111,850 a year. Louisiana ($83,710) and New York ($82,020) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an education teacher a good career?
Employment of education teachers is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an education teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for education teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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