Teacher Salaries

The U.S. average public school teacher salary for 2004-05 (the most recent survey) was $47,674.

State average public school teacher salaries ranged from those in

• District of Columbia ($58,456),
• California ($57,876), and
• Connecticut ($57,737) at the high end to
  
  
• South Dakota ($34,040),
• Mississippi ($36,590), and
• North Dakota ($36,695) at the low end.

Over the decade from 1994-95 to 2004-05, in constant dollars, average salaries for public school teachers increased 0.2%.

• Louisiana (13.6%),
• Georgia (11.0%),
• Idaho (9.0%),
• California (8.6%), and
• North Carolina (8.5%) had the largest real increases in salaries during that 10-year period.

Twenty-eight states saw real declines in average teacher salaries over those years, adjusting for inflation. Those with average salaries declining 5% or more:

• Alaska (-15.8%),
• Kansas (-12.5%),
• Connecticut (-11.1%),
• Wisconsin (-9.6%),
• New York (-9.0%)
• Pennsylvania (-7.8%),
• Hawaii (-7.7%),
• West Virginia (-7.5%),
• New Jersey (-7.1%), and
• Alabama (-5.5%).

The U.S. average one-year increase in public school teacher salaries from 2003-04 to 2004-05 was 2.1%.

The largest one-year increases -- 5% or more -- were in

• Oklahoma (8.0%) and
• Vermont (6.0%).

Average salaries in current dollars declined in

• Maine (-0.6%),
• West Virginia (-0.3%), and
• Alabama (-0.3%).

Based on the trends, NEA estimated that the average classroom teacher salary for 2005-06 would increase by 3%, from $47,674 to $49,109. The national average salary, although useful as a benchmark statistic, hides vast differences among states, with statewide averages likewise clouding significant local variations.

For additional information on teacher salaries visit the Professional Pay area.