With World Teachers’ Day around the corner and teachers making an average of five percent less per year than they did 10 years ago after adjusting for inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub has released its report on the Best & Worst States for Teachers in 2024. The report also includes commentary from experts, in order to help educators find places to work with good teaching environments and above-average compensation.
WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student.
Teacher-Friendliness of California (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
Overall rank for California: 9th
7th – Avg. Salary for Teachers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
16th – Public-School Spending per Student
13th – Teachers’ Income Growth Potential
8th – Projected Competition in Year 2030
5th – 10-Year Change in Teacher Salaries
1st – Existence of Digital Learning Plan
“Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America – educating the next generation – teachers are often underpaid and underappreciated. The states that make a teaching career the most rewarding are those that compensate educators well, invest heavily in educational resources, pass laws that improve school-system quality, and provide supportive conditions that lead to low turnover,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst. “New York is the best state for teachers, boasting the highest average annual salary for public school teachers after adjusting for the cost of living, at $82,571. In addition, New York has the highest amount of spending per student in the country, at $31,839; while increased spending doesn’t always lead to better results, the fact that New York has the eighth-best school systems in the country shows that it does matter. It’s no wonder that New York has the lowest teacher turnover rate in the country, at only 4.3 percent.”
For the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers/7159
After New York, the rest of the top five were Washington at number two, Virginia, Utah and Maryland. At the bottom of the list were Tennessee at number 47, followed by Nevada, New Hampshire, Hawaii and Maine, last, at number 51.
Expert Commentary
What are the biggest issues teachers face today?
“The teaching profession has become increasingly complex and challenging, with incrementally more responsibilities being added to the plates of teachers over time, this is despite teachers being continuously underpaid relative to their similarly educated peers. Many of the ever-evolving advances and issues in broader society get reflected in the classroom. Take for example, the extreme polarization and politicization of numerous topics that become points of conflict with parents and the government in schools – these include but are not limited to reactions to books and courses being banned, mask mandates during the pandemic, remote digital learning, etc. When teachers receive weak support from their school employers and the community, the incentive for them to leave their roles intensifies. This is especially the case when other competing professions may offer less stress, more resources and better pay.”
Henry Tran, MPA, SHRM-CP, PHR, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
“Teachers today face numerous significant challenges in their profession. Teachers have felt higher levels of stress and burnout, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Student mental health concerns and support are arguably more prominent than ever before. Managing classroom environments and fostering positive conditions for learning has become increasingly more difficult. The lack of school resources, the need for stronger parental engagement, and keeping up with technological advances are additional pressure points for teachers. However, I believe there are opportunities for school and district leaders, policymakers, and community leaders to come together to develop and sustain an infrastructure of support for teachers that puts them in the best position to address the stresses of the profession while providing effective teaching and student support.”
Everrett A. Smith, Ph.D. – Associate Professor; Coordinator, UEL Doctoral Program, University of Cincinnati
How can local officials attract and retain the best teachers?
“Some of the best ways to attract and retain teachers include providing a highly supportive work environment, ample professional development, offering competitive salaries, providing senior mentors for new teachers, and classroom resources so that teachers can concentrate on teaching rather than scrounging for materials. Children are one of our nation’s most valuable assets, and those who teach our children should be treated similarly.”
Marybeth Gasman, Ph.D. – Chair in Education; University Distinguished Professor, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Education
What tips can you offer young teachers looking for a place to settle down?
“Teachers looking for a place to settle down should consider their own needs concerning what attracts them to a specific locale and be careful not to place too much weight on just the nominal entry level salary amount. For example, some districts may offer higher salaries but may have high cost of living which results in less money left over for groceries and other expenses. Amenity wise, some people are attracted to the hustle and bustle of big city life, while others enjoy the peace and quiet of rural communities. Teachers looking for a place to settle down should think about their own needs and wants, and consider how the different locales can best help complement those.”
Henry Tran, MPA, SHRM-CP, PHR, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
“I would suggest doing a lot of research and homework on the school and community to ensure that teachers are happy, supported, and have some sense of work-life balance. I would seek out professional opportunities and places that offer long-term growth in the position. Given that teachers’ salaries are not up to par, it is important to find a community with a reasonable cost of living.”
Marybeth Gasman, Ph.D. – Chair in Education; University Distinguished Professor, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Education
