Teacher Salary Information - United States

Average teacher salaries. California had the nation's highest average salary in 2002-03, at $55,693. States joining California in the top tier were Michigan, at $54,020; Connecticut, at $53,962; New Jersey, at $53,872; and the District of Columbia, at $53,194.

South Dakota had the lowest average salary in 2002-03, at $32,414. The other states in the bottom tier were Montana, at $35,754; Mississippi, at $35,135; North Dakota, at $33,869; and Oklahoma, at $33,277. Also in the lowest tier were the Virgin Islands, at $34,764; Guam at $34,738; and Puerto Rico, at $22,164.

Average beginning teacher salaries. Alaska had the highest average beginning salary in 2002-03, at $37,401. States joining Alaska in the top tier were New Jersey, at $35,673; District of Columbia, at $35,260; New York, at $35,259; and California, at $34,805.

Montana had the lowest average beginning salary in 2002-03, at $23,052. The other states in the bottom tier were Maine, at $24,631; South Dakota, at $24,311; North Dakota, at $23,591; and Arizona, at $23,548.

Adobe PDF versions of selected tables can be downloaded here:

• Table 1, Average Teacher Salary in 2001-02, State Rankings
• Table 2, Actual Average Beginning Teacher Salaries, 2002-03, Estimated 2004

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The above is an excerpt from the AFT's Press Release, "Teacher Salaries Remain Stagnant but Health Insurance Costs Soar AFT Releases Annual State-by-State Teacher Salary Survey." Source: American Federation of Teachers, Survey and Analysis of Teacher Salary Trends 2000.

The following information has been posted on the Education America Network with permission from the America Federation of Teachers.