Elementary School Teachers Salary by State
Also called: Elementary School Teachers
The national median pay for elementary school teachers is $63,970 a year. By state, it ranges from $48,200 in Oklahoma to $102,350 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $47,960
- 25th percentile
- $57,710
- Median
- $63,970
- 75th percentile
- $81,450
- Top 10%
- $104,340
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 1,388,390 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $102,350 | +60% | $64,610 | $127,570 | 28,980 |
| 2 | California | $99,650 | +56% | $61,940 | $127,070 | 155,160 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $96,580 | +51% | $63,950 | $128,370 | 3,750 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $94,000 | +47% | $60,620 | $118,190 | 29,930 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $90,930 | +42% | $45,070 | $99,610 | 3,830 |
| 6 | New York | $85,760 | +34% | $56,760 | $136,260 | 101,410 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $80,600 | +26% | $58,870 | $105,890 | 16,330 |
| 8 | Alaska | $79,260 | +24% | $62,140 | $98,610 | 3,500 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $78,200 | +22% | $61,840 | $105,480 | 40,300 |
| 10 | Maryland | $77,680 | +21% | $56,290 | $107,040 | 29,610 |
| 11 | Ohio | $77,370 | +21% | $47,680 | $99,210 | 47,870 |
| 12 | Oregon | $77,130 | +21% | $48,500 | $103,540 | 12,600 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $77,060 | +20% | $51,990 | $99,630 | 48,370 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $76,350 | +19% | $48,870 | $100,880 | 26,640 |
| 15 | Delaware | $75,920 | +19% | $50,330 | $94,100 | 2,900 |
| 16 | Illinois | $75,320 | +18% | $47,040 | $105,250 | 61,520 |
| 17 | Utah | $74,810 | +17% | $49,610 | $100,340 | 14,820 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $74,550 | +17% | $58,120 | $86,560 | 6,210 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $72,410 | +13% | $48,110 | $92,920 | 5,190 |
| 20 | Georgia | $72,290 | +13% | $49,260 | $98,030 | 43,820 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $71,410 | +12% | $55,210 | $95,120 | 6,040 |
| 22 | Virginia | $65,550 | +2% | $49,770 | $100,290 | 37,880 |
| 23 | Michigan | $65,110 | +2% | $47,670 | $94,680 | 40,910 |
| 24 | Nevada | $65,040 | +2% | $49,560 | $82,670 | 9,550 |
| 25 | Colorado | $63,410 | −1% | $48,410 | $98,950 | 24,860 |
| 26 | Vermont | $63,070 | −1% | $48,700 | $97,230 | 3,610 |
| 27 | Texas | $62,760 | −2% | $48,500 | $73,570 | 116,260 |
| 28 | Maine | $62,390 | −2% | $46,570 | $92,100 | 7,490 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $62,380 | −2% | $46,700 | $78,130 | 8,710 |
| 30 | Idaho | $61,600 | −4% | $45,940 | $80,710 | 6,850 |
| 31 | Alabama | $61,380 | −4% | $47,750 | $73,950 | 22,030 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $61,210 | −4% | $48,610 | $84,470 | 24,920 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $61,150 | −4% | $51,630 | $76,860 | 2,600 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $60,820 | −5% | $48,410 | $77,570 | 25,030 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $60,610 | −5% | $45,600 | $79,740 | 19,080 |
| 36 | Iowa | $60,580 | −5% | $47,260 | $77,400 | 17,300 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $60,030 | −6% | $46,530 | $75,990 | 4,430 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $59,980 | −6% | $48,100 | $76,840 | 28,240 |
| 39 | Indiana | $59,700 | −7% | $47,330 | $77,730 | 27,720 |
| 40 | Florida | $58,930 | −8% | $48,680 | $75,780 | 79,090 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $58,770 | −8% | $46,680 | $76,380 | 22,060 |
| 42 | Montana | $57,530 | −10% | $38,160 | $78,450 | 4,960 |
| 43 | Arizona | $56,590 | −12% | $43,370 | $79,470 | 24,240 |
| 44 | Kansas | $56,450 | −12% | $47,700 | $71,730 | 14,350 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $55,630 | −13% | $48,080 | $60,790 | 5,420 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $54,930 | −14% | $45,570 | $62,590 | 42,410 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $52,700 | −18% | $49,380 | $63,120 | 12,590 |
| 48 | Missouri | $50,910 | −20% | $39,980 | $78,820 | 33,180 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $50,130 | −22% | $47,120 | $60,180 | 4,290 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $49,790 | −22% | $46,020 | $62,990 | 11,060 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $48,200 | −25% | $41,400 | $61,930 | 18,500 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Elementary School Teachers salary questions
Which state pays elementary school teachers the most?
Washington, with a median of $102,350 a year (+60% vs. the national median of $63,970). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays elementary school teachers the least?
Oklahoma, with a median of $48,200 a year (−25% vs. national).
Where do most elementary school teachers work?
California has the most jobs, about 155,160, with a median of $99,650.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.