The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the U.S., has revealed its latest findings on teacher salaries this week.
On average, teachers nationwide are earning $69,544 annually. However, the range is vast, with educators in certain states nearing six figures, while counterparts in other regions are contending with salaries as low as $50,000. Those just starting their teaching journey face an even tougher reality, with starting salaries averaging at $44,530.
NEA’s data indicates a 3.9% increase compared to the prior school year. However, adjusting for inflation, the report discloses that starting teacher salaries remain $4,273 below 2008-2009 levels.
Looking at the broader context, NEA emphasizes a troubling trend: teachers are, on average, earning 5% less than they did a decade ago when factoring in inflation. Notably, in nearly 20 states, the average salary falls below $60,000.
At the bottom of NEA's salary ranking is West Virginia, where teachers are earning less than $53,000 annually. Florida ($53,098) and South Dakota ($53,153) closely follow. Rounding out the bottom five are Mississippi ($53,354) and Missouri ($53,999).
Additional data can be found at: NEA Educator Pay Data