Public school teacher. Salary varies massively by district — California and NY pay 2x Mississippi.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for High School Teachers. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $51,400 | $39,300 | $66,600 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $63,900 | $48,800 | $82,800 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $73,500 | $56,200 | $95,200 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $88,200 | $67,400 | $114,200 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $99,900 | $76,400 | $129,400 |
Top 10 states by median High School Teacher salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $110,300 | $83,800 | $143,400 | +50% |
| New York | $106,600 | $81,100 | $138,600 | +45% |
| Washington DC | $103,000 | $78,300 | $133,900 | +40% |
| Connecticut | $101,500 | $77,100 | $131,900 | +38% |
| Massachusetts | $99,300 | $75,500 | $129,100 | +35% |
| New Jersey | $97,100 | $73,800 | $126,200 | +32% |
| Washington | $89,700 | $68,200 | $116,600 | +22% |
| Maryland | $88,300 | $67,100 | $114,700 | +20% |
| Illinois | $86,800 | $66,000 | $112,800 | +18% |
| Colorado | $86,100 | $65,400 | $111,900 | +17% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $62,500 | $47,500 | $81,300 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $61,800 | $47,000 | $80,300 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $61,800 | $47,000 | $80,300 | -16% |
| Alabama | $61,000 | $46,400 | $79,400 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $61,000 | $46,400 | $79,400 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $58,800 | $44,700 | $76,500 | -20% |
| West Virginia | $57,400 | $43,600 | $74,600 | -22% |
| Oklahoma | $55,900 | $42,500 | $72,700 | -24% |
| Mississippi | $53,000 | $40,200 | $68,800 | -28% |
| South Dakota | $53,000 | $40,200 | $68,800 | -28% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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