Teachers and Instructor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Teachers and Instructors Make?
Teachers and Instructors earn a median annual salary of $64,690 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $33,280 at the 10th percentile to $116,690 at the 90th percentile — a range of $83,410. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $125,420.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,280 |
| 25th percentile | $46,700 |
| Median (50th) | $64,690 |
| 75th percentile | $93,180 |
| 90th percentile | $116,690 |
Teachers and Instructor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Islandtop | $125,420 |
| California | $89,010 |
| District of Columbia | $88,280 |
| Massachusetts | $85,500 |
| Virginia | $81,970 |
| Kansas | $81,850 |
| Colorado | $77,810 |
| Arizona | $77,790 |
| New York | $76,440 |
| New Hampshire | $76,270 |
| Maine | $75,640 |
| New Jersey | $74,910 |
| Hawaii | $74,660 |
| South Dakota | $74,200 |
| Washington | $72,860 |
| Maryland | $72,820 |
| Mississippi | $72,550 |
| Oregon | $71,200 |
| Oklahoma | $69,950 |
| Wyoming | $67,640 |
| New Mexico | $66,020 |
| Alabama | $63,350 |
| Illinois | $62,940 |
| Idaho | $62,720 |
| West Virginia | $62,440 |
| Alaska | $61,610 |
| North Dakota | $61,420 |
| Delaware | $61,140 |
| Connecticut | $60,690 |
| Georgia | $60,010 |
| Minnesota | $59,880 |
| Tennessee | $59,850 |
| Wisconsin | $59,620 |
| Florida | $57,930 |
| Louisiana | $57,630 |
| Iowa | $55,990 |
| Kentucky | $54,230 |
| Utah | $54,010 |
| South Carolina | $53,280 |
| Nebraska | $53,240 |
| Missouri | $53,100 |
| Nevada | $52,710 |
| Vermont | $51,930 |
| Ohio | $51,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,180 |
| Montana | $50,130 |
| North Carolina | $48,550 |
| Arkansas | $48,090 |
| Michigan | $46,940 |
| Indiana | $43,150 |
| Texas | $41,040 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Teachers and Instructors
Teachers and Instructor 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) | ~$33,280 – $46,700 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$64,690 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$93,180 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $116,690+ |
How to Earn More as a Teachers and Instructor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Teachers and Instructors in Rhode Island earn $125,420 — $60,730 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($93,180) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Teachers and Instructor requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 25-3099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.