How much do teachers get paid in the US?
For comparison, the median wage across all occupations was $49,500, or about 20% lower than the median for teachers.
$63K
$102K
Among teachers working in elementary, middle, and high schools, annual pay varies by the grade level taught. In 2024, preschool teachers made the least, earning around $52,810 annually. High school teachers made the most at around $64,690 per year. In other words, teachers of the oldest students earned about 18% more than those teaching the youngest.
High school teachers earn $64.7K annually, more than any other teachers
Median annual salary of teachers in the elementary and secondary education industry, not including special education or technical teachers (All US, 2024)
Teacher salaries also differ between public and private schools. In 2024, teachers in public schools earned a median wage of $63,980 per year, while teachers in private schools earned $57,570. These differences may reflect how the two types of schools are funded and managed. Public schools receive funding from federal, state, and local governments and are often required to meet state certification and pay standards for teachers. Private schools rely more on tuition and other private sources of funding and may have different certification requirements for their teachers.
Teachers in public schools made a higher wage than those in private schools
Median annual salary of teachers in the elementary and secondary education industry, not including special education or technical teachers (All US, 2024)
Teacher pay also varies by specialization. Special education teachers, who work with students with disabilities, earn more than general education teachers at every grade level in the United States. In 2024, their median wages ranged from 1% to 19% higher than those of other teachers at the same grade level. The largest difference was at the preschool level, where special education teachers earned $62,700 per year compared to $52,810 for other preschool teachers, a 19% difference. This gap may reflect the additional certifications, specialized training, and responsibilities required when teaching students with disabilities.
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Some schools also employ technical teachers, who primarily work in middle and high schools. These teachers provide training in vocational and technical subjects, such as automotive repair, culinary arts, cosmetology, or information technology, to help students develop skills needed for specific careers. Their median wages were $63,630 at the middle school level and $64,030 at the high school level in 2024, similar to those of general education teachers at the same levels.
Special education teachers tend to earn a higher median wage than other teachers
Median annual salary of teachers in the elementary and secondary education industry (All US, 2024)
Teacher pay varies across states, reflecting differences in local policies, funding, and labor markets. The figures here show the median annual salary for general education teachers, excluding special education and technical teachers.
- Among states, preschool teachers earn the highest median salary in Alaska at $75,350 and the lowest in Utah at $34,860. Washington, DC had higher salaries than any state at $85,190
- Kindergarten teachers earn the highest median salary in Washington state at $87,530 and the lowest in Oklahoma at $47,600.
- Elementary school teachers earn the highest median salary in Washington state at $99,320 and the lowest in Oklahoma at $47,470.
- Middle school teachers earn the highest median salary in Washington state at $99,150 and the lowest in Oklahoma at $48,210.
- High school teachers earn the highest median salary in Washington state at $99,640 and the lowest in Oklahoma at $49,150.
Preschool teachers earn the most in DC; Washington state leads for all other grades
Median annual salary of teachers in the elementary and secondary education industry, not including special education or technical teachers (All US, 2024)
Teacher salaries don’t always tell the full story when comparing across states. A higher wage in one state might not stretch as far as a lower wage in another, depending on local prices. Adjusting for cost of living provides a clearer sense of purchasing power—how far a teacher’s wages go in each state. The figures below reflect these adjustments, using regional price parities from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Washington state ranks highest for adjusted pay among elementary, middle, and high school teachers
Median annual salary of teachers in the elementary and secondary education industry, not including special education or technical teachers, adjusted for cost of living (All US, 2024)
Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational and Employment Wage Statistics
US Bureau of Economic Analysis
Regional Data
