Teacher Salaries: What Elementary School Teachers Earn by State

Elementary school teachers are one of the most consistently discussed occupations in wage policy debates. BLS OEWS data provides a clear state-by-state picture of what public and private school teachers earn — though the figures have important limitations.

What BLS Captures (and Misses)

The OEWS survey captures annual wages including contracted salary but typically excludes pension contributions and non-wage benefits. For teachers — who often receive generous defined-benefit pension plans — total compensation can differ significantly from the wage figure alone.

Highest-Paying States

California, New York, and Massachusetts consistently rank as the top-paying states for elementary teachers. Strong teachers' unions and higher overall wage levels in these states drive the premium.

The "Teacher Shortage" Paradox

Many states reporting teacher shortages also rank near the bottom in teacher wages — Arizona, Oklahoma, and Mississippi have seen both. The data supports the link between compensation and retention, though policy responses vary.

Browse Education Wages

Explore the full Educational Instruction and Library Occupations group for wages on high school teachers, special education teachers, professors, and librarians.