Education Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Education Teachers Make?
Education Teachers earn a median annual salary of $72,090 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,650 at the 10th percentile to $126,450 at the 90th percentile — a range of $87,800. The highest-paying state is California at $85,560.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,650 |
| 25th percentile | $50,630 |
| Median (50th) | $72,090 |
| 75th percentile | $96,260 |
| 90th percentile | $126,450 |
Education Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $85,560 |
| New York | $83,270 |
| Louisiana | $80,500 |
| Alaska | $80,070 |
| Rhode Island | $79,430 |
| Virginia | $79,280 |
| District of Columbia | $79,100 |
| Connecticut | $77,870 |
| Massachusetts | $77,440 |
| Vermont | $76,030 |
| Minnesota | $75,750 |
| Texas | $75,650 |
| Montana | $75,540 |
| North Dakota | $75,190 |
| Nebraska | $75,130 |
| New Jersey | $74,990 |
| Maine | $69,710 |
| Oregon | $69,640 |
| Wyoming | $68,440 |
| Arizona | $68,350 |
| North Carolina | $68,340 |
| Utah | $67,580 |
| New Hampshire | $66,680 |
| Washington | $66,150 |
| Alabama | $65,670 |
| West Virginia | $65,670 |
| Michigan | $65,340 |
| Arkansas | $65,020 |
| Maryland | $64,980 |
| South Carolina | $64,690 |
| Nevada | $64,630 |
| Colorado | $64,620 |
| Tennessee | $64,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,310 |
| Wisconsin | $64,150 |
| Georgia | $63,940 |
| Indiana | $63,870 |
| Missouri | $63,470 |
| Idaho | $63,080 |
| Kansas | $63,070 |
| New Mexico | $62,460 |
| Oklahoma | $62,320 |
| South Dakota | $62,120 |
| Florida | $62,020 |
| Kentucky | $61,320 |
| Ohio | $61,160 |
| Mississippi | $61,150 |
| Illinois | $60,410 |
| Iowa | $54,720 |
| Hawaii | $49,910 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Education Teachers
Education Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$38,650 – $50,630 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$72,090 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$96,260 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $126,450+ |
How to Earn More as an Education Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Education Teachers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $103,290 — $31,200 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($96,260) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Education Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teacherthis career | $72,090 |
| Education Administrator | $103,960 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor | $65,140 |
| Psychology Teacher | $80,330 |
| Sociology Teacher | $82,540 |
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SOC: 25-1081.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.