The cost of living-adjusted average annual teacher pay in the state is $58,145, versus the comparable national teacher pay of $62,898. Discover each state's qualifications and requirements for K-12 teacher certification by selecting a state above. Read more: Amazon opens on-site COVID-19 testing for Lab126 hardware engineers after employees file internal safety complaints, Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images, Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images, Brianna Soukup/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images, Ann Hermes/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images, Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories, Amazon opens on-site COVID-19 testing for Lab126 hardware engineers after employees file internal safety complaints. Massachusetts also has a reputation for paying teachers very well, with an average salary above $80,000. However, the information provided does not indicate reciprocity. Individuals who want to teach specific subjects like science, language, or physical education may need to complete subject area competence exams. Moreover, at least 55% of those hired were not actually certified educators. Average teacher pay: $59,088 (24th lowest), Student-teacher ratio: 37 to 1 (4th highest), High school graduation rate: 80.9% (11th lowest). Subjects range from Career and Technical Education to World Languages. As seen with the map and the table above, K-12 teacher qualification requirements vary by state. While you may have heard about the teacher shortages, you may not realize just how severely understaffed some states really are. /2017/12/15/8-states-that-made-it-easier-to-become-a-teacher-1513305313 Those who earn a teacher certification the traditional way earn their bachelor's degree in some aspect of education. Projectionscentral.org reports on average growth for teachers in Montana between 2018-2028. The job outlook for teachers in D.C. looks bright despite the ongoing shortages and pandemic. While all new teachers in Arizona are expected to stay in the profession long enough to qualify for retirement benefits, the average annual retirement benefit is low. Thirty-one states require some or all out-of-state teacher candidates to take additional coursework or training prior to entering a classroom or within a certain number of years of teaching. Also, it may not be a bad idea to get a side hustle. Forty-three states and the District of Columbia require that some or all out-of-state teacher candidates take additional assessments. Thats about 920 annual openings. Hawai'i. Average teacher pay: $55,177 (12th lowest), Student-teacher ratio: 26 to 1 (22nd lowest), New teachers expected to qualify for a pension: 54.0% (16th highest), High school graduation rate: 78.1% (4th lowest). You also need a bachelor's degree; you need to complete a teacher preparation program; and you need a state license or national certification to teach in a . It's no surprise that 55% of teachers don't want their children to follow in their career footsteps. Omaha Public Schools reported a loss of 239 teachers during the 2019-2020 school year and 320 teachers during 2020-2021. Basic skills exams confirm that an aspiring teacher meets a baseline level of competence in reading, writing, and mathematics. Each state has a wide variety of teaching statistics and information on: Alabama. Teacher Tenure Protections: Full Weight (~5.38 Points) Note: This metric measures the strength of the state law, if any, protecting teachers' tenure. The median benefit for newly retired teachers in New York is $51,360 annually, second in the nation after Illinois. The average annual pay in the state, adjusted to the cost of living, is $66,560, the 11th highest in the country. "Opportunity and competition," which includes how competitive salaries were, teacher pensions, and income growth. Average teacher pay: $72,643 (2nd highest), Student-teacher ratio: 23 to 1 (8th lowest), New teachers expected to qualify for a pension: 40.0% (21st lowest), High school graduation rate: 81.8% (12th lowest). Out-of-state graduates may apply for certification online. The average annual pay, adjusted to the cost of living in the state, is almost $48,000. School administrators struggled to fill 1 in 5 teaching positions. Even before the pandemic, the state of California began experiencing mass teacher shortages. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Mississippi a high student-teacher ratio of 27 to 1 and an expected qualification for a pension of new teachers being 22% also qualifies this state as one of the worst. Teachers with specialties in Nebraska, such as those in special education roles in kindergarten and middle school will experience an 8.8%, and 8.2% growth, respectively, in available positions by 2030. Established in 1996, Universities.com is the trusted source used by millions Pay isnt the only factor determining the quality and desirability of a teaching job. Middle school teachers can expect about a 3.3% growth or 140 new positions per year. Teachers can also take advantage of D.C.s career advancement opportunities, including the public school teacher LEAP program. Average teacher pay: $55,705 (13th lowest), Student-teacher ratio: 25 to 1 (18th lowest), New teachers expected to qualify for a pension: 35.0% (15th lowest), High school graduation rate: 85.8% (24th lowest). According to District Administration, the average annual salary for a teacher (excluding special education) is $90,222. Prospective teachers in Virginia must hold a bachelors degree or higher from an accredited institution. For close to two decades, Sarah Harris has worked as a professional writer covering every niche and topic imaginable. In order to become a Hawaii-certified teacher, you must first obtain a bachelors degree and complete a state-approved prep program. WalletHub ranked DC as the sixth worst area to teach in. Arkansas is one of two states to receive the highest grade for education policies, including making sure secondary school teachers, especially those teaching science and social studies, are qualified to teach and actually know the appropriate grade material. Teachers find clever ways to afford housing. Alaska. However, with only about 14% of new teachers expecting to qualify for retirement, it is still not a good place for a teaching career. Learning about specific school districts and schools demographics, performance, and funding also helps you understand more about what your future position could entail. Similarly, students who need to take Praxis Subject Assessments in areas such as early childhood, elementary, and secondary education can do so at approved testing centers or at home. Teachers may need to complete additional coursework and assessments alongside the credentials accepted through reciprocity. Here are the 15 worst states to be a teacher. Though teachers' pay in Arkansas, adjusted for cost of living, is relatively low compared to the national average, the average class size is one of the best. That is if you are thinking in terms of pay (3rd highest in the country), the student-teacher ratio (24 to 1), or retirement plan (59% probability). According to ProjectionsCentral, middle school teachers except those in special education and technical/career training can expect a 7.7% growth in available positions between 2020-2030. Prospective teachers in Indiana must possess a bachelors degree from an accredited institution. The study reports that Mississippi has the lowest salary for teachers at just more than $45k per year but that is still 8.6% higher than the average salary in the state. While they earn their degree, they are concurrently completing a teacher preparation program. 7. D.C. is home to many great academic institutions, including highly-ranked high schools like McKinley Technology High School, Bellevue High School, and Benjamin Banneker Academy High School. Without a degree in education, you can become a teacher by completing a teacher-preparation program and passing the required assessments for your state. One of the factors driving the state's poor ranking is its failure to provide retirement system that adequately supports teachers. Utah the state of Utah pays its teachers about $62,000 on average, 41 to 1 student-teacher ratio defeats that feat of high payment. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. The state for example does not require that tenure decisions are made on the basis of teacher performance, and there are few policies that reward teachers with more relevant experience. Average teacher pay: $66,561 (11th highest), Student-teacher ratio: 28 to 1 (18th highest), High school graduation rate: 87.0% (18th highest). No; however, a master's is requied to receive a Professional Certificate, No; however, a master's is required to earn a Professional License, Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (secondary and middle school licenses), Praxis Subject Tests and/or Pearson's Foundations of Reading Test (depending on credential), No; however, a master's is one route to Level 3 licensure, Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers or edTPA assessment, Assessment of Professional Knowledge or edTPA, Oklahoma Professional Teaching Examination, Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments or Praxis Subject Tests, Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment, Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching, edTPA or PPAT, No; however, a master's is one route to an Advanced Teaching Certificate, PPAT or Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching, 1 year (for Initial Certificate) or 5 years (for Standard Certificate), 2 years (for Associate Educator License) or 5 years (for Professional Educator License), No; however, a master's is required for a Postgraduate Professional License, Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment, Praxis Subject Tests or Praxis Series Reading for Virginia Educators, 3 years (for a Provisional License) or 10 years (for a Collegiate Professional License), Washington Educator Skills Tests - Basic or, WEST - Endorsements/National Evaluation Series or, 3 years (for Initial Teacher Credential) or 4 years (for Standard Teacher Credential), Grade level (elementary, middle, high school), Subject matter (English, science, mathematics, social studies), 2023 TheBestSchools.org, a Red Ventures Company. 10 Things to Do Your First Week of College, pilot program to allow individuals with workforce experience, offering affordable housing to their teachers, at least 96.5% of school districts across Indiana reported teacher shortages, 3.3% growth or 140 new positions per year, Attracting Excellence to Teaching Program, https://www.epi.org/publication/the-teacher-shortage-is-real-large-and-growing-and-worse-than-we-thought-the-first-report-in-the-perfect-storm-in-the-teacher-labor-market-series/, https://edsource.org/2021/california-teacher-shortages-could-make-reopening-schools-for-in-person-instruction-difficult/650538, https://rossier.usc.edu/eight-factors-that-affect-your-california-teacher-salary/#:~:text=The%20average%20California%20teacher%20salary,state%20in%20the%20top%2010, https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/OccGuides/Detail.aspx?Soccode=252021&Geography=0604000019#:~:text=Projections%20of%20Employment,jobs%20between%202016%20and%202026, https://knpr.org/knpr/2021-02/ccsd-hopes-recruitment-and-retention-help-address-teacher-shortage#:~:text=But%20something%20more%20problematic%20and,beginning%20of%20the%20school%20year, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nv.htm, https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/many-are-interested-in-washington-states-hardest-to-fill-teacher-jobs-they-just-need-support-to-get-there-survey-finds/, https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/school-stats-the-number-of-emergency-teachers-in-washington-classrooms-has-doubled/, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/public-school-teacher-salary/wa, https://esd.wa.gov/labormarketinfo/projections, https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2020/10/28/arizona-teacher-shortage-persists-heres-why-3-quit-2020/3589175001/, https://tucson.com/news/local/one-quarter-of-arizona-teaching-positions-are-vacant-report-finds/article_edf27692-f940-5b56-99d1-3445be69e554.html, https://azednews.com/azs-severe-teacher-shortage-continues-as-spring-semester-starts/, https://www.google.com/search?q=teacher+salary+in+arizona&oq=teacher+salary+in+Arizona&aqs=chrome.0.0l2j0i22i30l8.3074j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8, https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/02/hawaii-always-had-a-hard-time-recruiting-teachers-the-pandemic-made-it-harder/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20DOEs%20Office,2.7%25%20of%20all%20teacher%20positions, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/public-school-teacher-salary/hi, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_hi.htm, https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/a-look-at-teacher-pay-across-the-united-states-in-2017.htm, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/public-school-teacher-salary/nv, https://fox59.com/news/education/school-districts-increasing-pay-benefits-to-retain-teachers/, https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/teacher-salaries-are-increasing-see-how-your-state-compares/2021/04, The Nevada State Education Association estimates they are in need of, The U.S. Department of Education partners with school districts across the country to address the teacher shortage full press release, Obtain a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. 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