Educator Pay and State Spending
$40,154
$62,304
81¢on the
dollar
$12,994
Each year, NEA publishes data on educator salaries and per student spending. We collect statistics from state departments of education and 11,675 school districts, which account for 94 percent of all full-time educators. The data show the dollar value each state places on its educators. The pay gap between educators and other professionals with similar credentials is vast and growing, forcing many out of the profession and creating a teacher shortage crisis that threatens our students and communities.
1* State Teacher Salary Benchmark Data, FY 2018-19, NEA CBMA, June 2020
2* State Rankings, FY 2018-2019, NEA Research, June 2020: KY and ND reported the same average salary; hence both are ranked as 31
3* Compared to other professionals with the same education and years of experience. Economic Policy Institute, September 2020
4* Expenditure per student in fall enrollment. State Rankings, FY 2018-19, NEA Research, June 2020
Note: NEA salary data are not adjusted for cost of living. If you are interested in exploring how the cost of living varies by locality, we recommend the BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) data and calculator available here.