States with the Largest Teacher Pay Gap
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The Great Recession may be over, but not all professions are reaping the benefits of the growing economy.
Recent trends in hiring and wage increases indicate that the economic outlook for some American workers may be slowly improving, but there is one group that is still falling behind: teachers and private tutors. When adjusted for inflation, teacher salaries have actually been decreasing since 2009, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
In the past few months, teacher strikes have occurred in Denver, Los Angeles, Oakland and throughout West Virginia to demand pay raises and smaller class sizes, among other things. Teaching has never been a highly-lucrative profession, but many teachers and tutors are struggling to make a living wage.
Lily Eskelsen Garcia, the President of the National Education Association (NEA), explained: “Educators don’t do this work to get rich, they do this work because they believe in students. But their pay is not commensurate with the dedication and expertise they bring to the profession.”
Lower incomes contribute to teacher shortages, as non-competitive wages drive many would-be educators toward more financially stable career paths. The NEA believes fair pay is essential to attracting and retaining top candidates for teaching.
According to Garcia, “Too often the educators who dedicate their lives to children struggle to support their own families. They are forced into taking second and sometimes third jobs...to make ends meet. This is not right. It shortchanges students, public education and these dedicated professionals.”
Teachers aren’t the only ones feeling the strain of the pay gap. Students are affected, too. Teacher shortages and high turnover can lead to overcrowded classrooms, fewer qualified teachers, and reduced academic programs. All of these have a negative effect on student learning, which result in student reach out for Math tutoring, Science tutoring, English tutoring and more.
Garcia emphasized, “If we’re serious about every child’s future, let’s get serious about doing what works. We cannot recruit and retain the committed, qualified educators that students deserve without making a major investment in raising salaries. In order to ensure that every student has a qualified teacher in the classroom and caring professionals in schools, we must make better investment in what we pay educators so careers in education are more attractive.”
Despite support for raising salaries, doing so is a complex problem. Public school budgets, and thus teacher salaries, are tightly coupled with rising costs for pensions, healthcare, and other benefits, as well as local tax laws that are difficult to update. Although there is much work to be done nationwide to fix the teacher pay gap, there is also a lot of variation in teacher salaries across the country.
To learn more about the pay gap and which states offer the most competitive wages for teachers, HeyTutor analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. Its researchers calculated the median primary/secondary school teacher salary and compared that to non-teachers working full-time with a bachelor’s degree or higher. The analysis included both public and private school teachers.
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Findings
Nationwide, the teacher pay gap is -27.1 percent, meaning that teachers make 27.1 percent less than similarly-educated full-time workers in other professions. The median annual earnings for full-time teachers is $51,571 (including public and private), while the median annual earnings for full-time workers in other professions is $70,783. In addition, the 5-year earnings growth (adjusted for inflation) for teachers is -4.4 percent, while the 5-year earnings growth for non-teachers is 4.2 percent. While teachers overall make far less than the average full-time worker with comparable education, private school teachers make even less. In no state does the median teacher salary match that of similarly-educated full-time workers.
Here are the states with the largest pay gap between teachers and non-teachers.
Teacher pay gap by state (from smallest to largest)
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51. Alaska
Teacher pay gap: -2.8%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $70,783
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $72,806
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 1.0%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -3.6%
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50. New York
Teacher pay gap: -6.7%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $70,783
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $75,839
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 1.0%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.9%
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49. Rhode Island
Teacher pay gap: -7.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $65,727
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $70,783
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -3.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.0%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
48. Vermont
Teacher pay gap: -9.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $55,615
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -4.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -0.8%
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47. Montana
Teacher pay gap: -9.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $55,615
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 5.8%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 3.1%
Photo Credit: Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo
46. Wyoming
Teacher pay gap: -9.6%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $52,582
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $58,143
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -8.0%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -2.0%
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45. Pennsylvania
Teacher pay gap: -10.4%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $60,671
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $67,750
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 2.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.7%
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44. Nevada
Teacher pay gap: -11.5%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $54,604
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $61,683
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -2.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -1.4%
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43. Nebraska
Teacher pay gap: -12.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $57,638
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 11.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.8%
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42. Connecticut
Teacher pay gap: -12.5%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $70,783
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $80,895
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 1.0%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -2.6%
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41. Iowa
Teacher pay gap: -13.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $52,582
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 1.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 8.2%
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40. South Dakota
Teacher pay gap: -14.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $43,481
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $50,559
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 6.1%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.2%
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39. North Dakota
Teacher pay gap: -14.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $49,548
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $57,638
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 9.4%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -2.8%
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38. California
Teacher pay gap: -15.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $68,761
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $80,895
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 4.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 0.0%
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37. Maine
Teacher pay gap: -15.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $59,660
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 4.2%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 6.4%
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36. Ohio
Teacher pay gap: -16.9%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $54,604
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $65,727
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -4.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.6%
Photo Credit: Steven Frame / Alamy Stock Photo
35. Kentucky
Teacher pay gap: -17.2%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $48,537
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $58,649
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -2.2%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.6%
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34. Massachusetts
Teacher pay gap: -17.5%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $66,738
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $80,895
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 3.1%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.2%
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33. Delaware
Teacher pay gap: -17.8%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $60,671
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $73,817
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 6.1%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 10.4%
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32. Oregon
Teacher pay gap: -17.9%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $55,615
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $67,750
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 3.1%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.7%
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31. New Mexico
Teacher pay gap: -18.6%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $48,537
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $59,660
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 0.0%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.4%
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30. Hawaii
Teacher pay gap: -18.7%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $52,582
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $64,716
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 1.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 9.1%
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29. Michigan
Teacher pay gap: -19.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $55,615
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $68,761
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -9.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.8%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
28. Alabama
Teacher pay gap: -20.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $48,537
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -1.7%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.3%
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27. New Jersey
Teacher pay gap: -21.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $64,716
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $81,906
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 0.0%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -5.1%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
26. Arkansas
Teacher pay gap: -21.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $45,504
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $57,638
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 0.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.8%
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25. Wisconsin
Teacher pay gap: -21.9%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $64,716
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -4.7%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 3.5%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
24. Mississippi
Teacher pay gap: -21.9%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $40,448
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $51,773
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -1.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -4.0%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
23. Washington
Teacher pay gap: -22.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $60,671
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $77,862
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -1.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 3.1%
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22. Maryland
Teacher pay gap: -22.5%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $62,694
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $80,895
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 3.8%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: -1.3%
Photo Credit: Dave Newman / Alamy Stock Photo
21. Illinois
Teacher pay gap: -22.5%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $55,615
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $71,794
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -4.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.4%
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20. Texas
Teacher pay gap: -22.7%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $51,571
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $66,738
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -0.4%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.4%
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19. Minnesota
Teacher pay gap: -22.9%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $54,604
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $70,783
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 1.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 5.9%
Photo Credit: Steven Frame / Alamy Stock Photo
18. Kansas
Teacher pay gap: -23.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $46,515
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 2.7%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.3%
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17. Indiana
Teacher pay gap: -23.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $46,515
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -4.2%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.3%
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16. District of Columbia
Teacher pay gap: -23.5%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $65,727
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $85,951
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 21.9%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.9%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
15. West Virginia
Teacher pay gap: -23.6%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $42,470
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $55,615
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -14.4%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.1%
Photo Credit: Dave Newman / Alamy Stock Photo
14. Tennessee
Teacher pay gap: -23.7%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $45,504
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $59,660
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 0.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.4%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
13. South Carolina
Teacher pay gap: -24.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $44,492
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $58,649
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -8.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.6%
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12. Georgia
Teacher pay gap: -24.2%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $66,738
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -3.1%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 3.1%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
11. Louisiana
Teacher pay gap: -24.4%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $45,099
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $59,660
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -2.8%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 0.6%
Photo Credit: Paul Brady / Alamy Stock Photo
10. Missouri
Teacher pay gap: -25.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $45,504
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 0.5%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 4.2%
Photo Credit: Steven Frame / Alamy Stock Photo
9. New Hampshire
Teacher pay gap: -25.4%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $53,593
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $71,794
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -0.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.4%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
8. Florida
Teacher pay gap: -27.0%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $44,290
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -2.2%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.3%
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7. Utah
Teacher pay gap: -27.2%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $47,829
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $65,727
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 8.2%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.6%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
6. North Carolina
Teacher pay gap: -28.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $43,481
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: 3.4%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.3%
Photo Credit: Paul Brady / Alamy Stock Photo
5. Colorado
Teacher pay gap: -29.4%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $48,537
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $68,761
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -4.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.8%
Photo Credit: Dave Newman / Alamy Stock Photo
4. Oklahoma
Teacher pay gap: -30.9%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $38,425
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $55,615
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -8.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 3.1%
Photo Credit: Sergey Novikov / Alamy Stock Photo
3. Idaho
Teacher pay gap: -33.3%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $40,448
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $60,671
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -14.8%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 2.3%
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
2. Virginia
Teacher pay gap: -35.1%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $50,559
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $77,862
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -0.3%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 0.3%
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1. Arizona
Teacher pay gap: -35.4%
Median annual earnings for teachers: $42,470
Median annual earnings for non-teachers: $65,727
5-year earnings growth for teachers: -1.6%
5-year earnings growth for non-teachers: 1.6%
Methodology
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 and 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimate Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS). For the purpose of this analysis, only elementary, middlel, and secondary school teachers were categorized as teachers. Preschool, kindergarten, special education, and “other” teachers were excluded from the analysis. All remaining occupations were categorized as non-teachers, including post-secondary educators.
The teacher pay gap is the percent difference between the median earnings for teachers (elementary, middle school, and secondary teachers) and the median earnings for non-teachers. To control for work status, education, and hours worked, the analysis only considered full-time workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Full-time workers are defined as any person with earnings who worked 35 hours or more per week and at least 48 weeks out of the previous 12 months.
For both teachers and non-teachers, the five-year earnings growth was calculated as the percent difference in earnings between 2012 and 2017 after adjusting for inflation, which is why many of the statistics are negative.
