It’s no secret that teacher salaries are not as high as they should be in the United States. According to a study by the National Education Association, the average starting salary for a new teacher in America is just over $37,000. Not only are teacher salaries low compared to other professions, but teacher pay also varies greatly from state to state.
It’s important to note that not all teachers receive the same salary regardless of where they work in the United States. In fact, teachers who work in high-poverty schools or in districts that are experiencing budget cuts often earn less than their counterparts in more affluent districts.
Alaska
The worst state for teacher pay is Alaska. According to the National Education Association, the average teacher salary in Alaska is just $50,871 a year, which is less than half the national average. Additionally, Alaska ranks near the bottom of all states in terms of teacher compensation per student.
According to the National Education Association, “In 2012-13, the average public school teacher salary in Alaska was $50,871. This ranked as the lowest average salary in the nation and was well below the national average of $58,617.” In addition, “The median teacher salary in Alaska was $47,451, which was also below the median nationwide ($57,191).”
For more information on how Alaska ranks among other states in terms of teacher salaries and compensation, please visit http://www.nea.org/research/rankings/states/worst-and-best-teacher-pay/.
South Dakota
According to data from the National Education Association, South Dakota ranks dead last in teacher pay. Teachers in South Dakota earn an average of $44,857 annually, which is about $10,000 less than the national average. Furthermore, South Dakota has one of the lowest percentages of teachers who are considered “highly qualified” – only 54% of teachers in the state meet that standard. In addition, South Dakota has one of the lowest teacher-to-student ratios in the country, which can lead to overcrowded classrooms and reduced opportunities for students.
Wyoming
On average, Wyoming teachers earn just $50,470 per year, which is the lowest pay in the nation. This low pay forces many teachers to rely on government assistance to make ends meet. In fact, nearly one-third of Wyoming teachers receive government assistance in some form. And because the state doesn’t provide any financial support for teacher training or professional development, many teachers are woefully unprepared for the challenges of their profession.
Mississippi
Mississippi ranks as the worst state for teacher pay, according to a report from The National Education Association. The state ranks last in terms of teacher salary relative to its cost of living, and also has one of the lowest levels of teacher education attainment in the country. In Mississippi, the median salary for a full-time teacher is just $42,000.
Despite these challenges, many teachers in Mississippi are dedicated to their work and continue to make a positive impact on the students they serve. There are some great schools and districts in Mississippi, and teachers there deserve better compensation and recognition for their efforts.
Arkansas
Arkansas ranks as the worst state for teacher pay, according to a report from The National Education Association. The report found that Arkansas teachers earn an average of $44,600 a year, which is about 27% lower than the national average.
Arkansas has been struggling to keep up with the cost of living and providing adequate teacher salaries has been a major challenge. The state also has one of the lowest percentages of classroom resources per student in the country.
New Mexico
New Mexico is the worst state for teacher pay, according to a report from The National Education Association. The state ranks 47th in the nation in average teacher salary, and its average salary of $50,717 is well below the national average of $58,950. Teachers in New Mexico also face significant challenges with low pay and high costs of living.
Nationally, teachers are among the lowest-paid professionals. According to data from The National Center for Education Statistics, the median annual salary of elementary school teachers was $53,657 in 2013-14. High school teachers earned a median annual salary of $59,500 that year.
Teacher pay has been a major focus of concern for educators nationwide. In December 2015, President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which includes provisions designed to improve teacher pay and support their work. Under ESSA, states must develop plans to achieve pay parity for all public school teachers within five years.
The National Education Association’s report on the worst states for teacher pay is based on data from The National Center for Education Statistics 2016 Teacher Pay Report.
Conclusion
When it comes to teacher pay, not all states are created equal. In fact, some states offer relatively low salaries to teachers, which can make it difficult for them to provide the best possible education for their students. If you’re looking for a state in which to teach, be sure to research which ones offer the highest paying jobs.
