Education5% remote-eligible+1.8% YoY growth

K-12 Teacher Salary
by City (2026)

Educate students in elementary through high school across core academic subjects. National median: $62K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$62K

Top 10% earn

$105K

Entry level

$45K

Salary growth

+1.8%/yr

K-12 Teacher salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$59K	$81K	$107K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$58K	$79K	$105K	210	9.3%
Washington, DC	$56K	$78K	$103K	152	8.5%
Oakland, CA	$55K	$76K	$100K	185	9.3%
New York City, NY	$55K	$76K	$101K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$55K	$76K	$101K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$55K	$76K	$101K	185	11%
Irvine, CA	$54K	$74K	$97K	172	9.3%
Bellevue, WA	$54K	$74K	$98K	175	None ✓
Boston, MA	$54K	$74K	$98K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$53K	$73K	$97K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$53K	$72K	$96K	165	6.85%
Kirkland, WA	$52K	$72K	$95K	162	None ✓
Bethesda, MD	$53K	$72K	$96K	165	5.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$52K	$71K	$94K	163	9.3%
Worcester, MA	$52K	$71K	$94K	120	5%
Arlington, VA	$52K	$71K	$94K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$52K	$71K	$94K	155	10.75%
Stamford, CT	$52K	$71K	$94K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$51K	$71K	$93K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$51K	$70K	$92K	150	9.3%
San Diego, CA	$50K	$69K	$92K	148	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$50K	$69K	$92K	148	9.3%
Seattle, WA	$50K	$69K	$92K	150	None ✓
Alexandria, VA	$50K	$69K	$91K	145	5.75%
Rockville, MD	$50K	$69K	$92K	148	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$50K	$69K	$91K	145	10.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$50K	$68K	$90K	110	3.07%
Baltimore, MD	$50K	$68K	$90K	115	5.75%
Paterson, NJ	$49K	$68K	$90K	140	10.75%
Hartford, CT	$50K	$68K	$90K	118	6.99%
Honolulu, HI	$50K	$68K	$90K	192	11%
Sacramento, CA	$49K	$67K	$89K	128	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$49K	$67K	$89K	155	9.3%
Chula Vista, CA	$49K	$67K	$89K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$49K	$67K	$89K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$49K	$67K	$89K	138	10.75%
Anchorage, AK	$49K	$67K	$89K	128	None ✓
Fairbanks, AK	$49K	$67K	$89K	138	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$47K	$65K	$86K	107	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$47K	$65K	$86K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$47K	$65K	$86K	118	4.55%
Durham, NC	$47K	$65K	$86K	100	4.75%
Madison, WI	$47K	$65K	$86K	102	5.3%
Minneapolis, MN	$47K	$65K	$86K	106	6.8%
St. Paul, MN	$47K	$65K	$86K	104	6.8%
Frisco, TX	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	6.99%
New Haven, CT	$47K	$64K	$85K	122	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	None ✓
Nashua, NH	$47K	$64K	$85K	120	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$46K	$64K	$84K	118	5.99%
Austin, TX	$46K	$63K	$84K	110	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$45K	$63K	$83K	112	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$45K	$63K	$83K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	4.55%
Raleigh, NC	$46K	$63K	$84K	102	4.75%
Cary, NC	$45K	$63K	$83K	112	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$46K	$63K	$84K	115	5.99%
Plano, TX	$45K	$62K	$82K	105	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$45K	$62K	$82K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$45K	$62K	$82K	123	None ✓
Scottsdale, AZ	$45K	$62K	$82K	118	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$45K	$62K	$82K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$45K	$62K	$82K	108	2.5%
Aurora, CO	$45K	$62K	$82K	112	4.55%
Thornton, CO	$45K	$62K	$82K	108	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$45K	$62K	$82K	99	5.75%
Pittsburgh, PA	$45K	$62K	$82K	90	3.07%
Eugene, OR	$45K	$62K	$82K	110	9.9%
Salt Lake City, UT	$45K	$62K	$82K	105	4.85%
Provo, UT	$45K	$62K	$82K	100	4.85%
Boise, ID	$45K	$62K	$82K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$45K	$62K	$82K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$44K	$61K	$80K	91	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$45K	$61K	$81K	96	None ✓
Irving, TX	$44K	$61K	$80K	97	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$44K	$61K	$80K	108	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$44K	$61K	$80K	102	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$45K	$61K	$81K	105	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$44K	$61K	$80K	90	6.85%
Tampa, FL	$44K	$61K	$80K	102	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$44K	$61K	$80K	118	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$44K	$61K	$80K	100	2.5%
Chandler, AZ	$44K	$61K	$80K	105	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$45K	$61K	$81K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$44K	$61K	$80K	100	4.75%
Richmond, VA	$44K	$61K	$80K	98	5.75%
Nashville, TN	$44K	$61K	$80K	102	None ✓
Columbus, OH	$44K	$61K	$80K	90	3.99%
Salem, OR	$45K	$61K	$81K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$45K	$61K	$81K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$45K	$61K	$81K	105	5.8%
Missoula, MT	$44K	$61K	$80K	102	6.75%
San Antonio, TX	$43K	$60K	$79K	87	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$44K	$60K	$80K	93	None ✓
Arlington, TX	$44K	$60K	$80K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$43K	$60K	$79K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	None ✓
Bakersfield, CA	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	9.3%
San Bernardino, CA	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	9.3%
Albany, NY	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	6.85%
Orlando, FL	$43K	$60K	$79K	100	None ✓
St. Petersburg, FL	$43K	$60K	$79K	105	None ✓
Port St. Lucie, FL	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	2.5%
Virginia Beach, VA	$43K	$60K	$79K	98	5.75%
Norfolk, VA	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	3.07%
St. Louis, MO	$43K	$60K	$79K	86	5.3%
Milwaukee, WI	$43K	$60K	$79K	90	5.3%
Rochester, MN	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	6.8%
Reno, NV	$43K	$60K	$79K	108	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	4.85%
West Jordan, UT	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	4.85%
Orem, UT	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$43K	$60K	$79K	105	6.5%
North Charleston, SC	$43K	$60K	$79K	95	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	5.7%
Nampa, ID	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$44K	$60K	$79K	98	7.15%
Dover, DE	$44K	$60K	$80K	100	6.6%
Grand Prairie, TX	$43K	$59K	$77K	90	None ✓
Midland, TX	$43K	$59K	$78K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$43K	$59K	$78K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$43K	$59K	$78K	93	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$43K	$59K	$77K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$43K	$59K	$77K	90	4.95%
Mesa, AZ	$43K	$59K	$78K	98	2.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$43K	$59K	$78K	102	4.55%
Athens, GA	$43K	$59K	$78K	92	5.75%
Cincinnati, OH	$43K	$59K	$78K	88	3.99%
Sterling Heights, MI	$43K	$59K	$77K	90	4.25%
Kansas City, MO	$43K	$59K	$78K	90	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$43K	$59K	$78K	88	3.23%
Kenosha, WI	$43K	$59K	$77K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$43K	$59K	$78K	92	6.8%
Las Vegas, NV	$43K	$59K	$78K	102	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$43K	$59K	$78K	88	5%
Greenville, SC	$43K	$59K	$78K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$43K	$59K	$78K	92	None ✓
Fargo, ND	$43K	$59K	$77K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	4.75%
Winston-Salem, NC	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Warren, MI	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	5.3%
Green Bay, WI	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	5%
Lafayette, LA	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$42K	$58K	$77K	88	None ✓
Fayetteville, AR	$42K	$58K	$76K	85	4.9%
Amarillo, TX	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	None ✓
Waco, TX	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$41K	$57K	$75K	102	9.3%
Rockford, IL	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	4.95%
Spokane, WA	$41K	$57K	$75K	95	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$41K	$57K	$75K	90	2.5%
Pueblo, CO	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	5.75%
Macon, GA	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$41K	$57K	$75K	82	3.99%
Akron, OH	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	3.99%
Detroit, MI	$41K	$57K	$75K	82	4.25%
Grand Rapids, MI	$41K	$57K	$75K	90	4.25%
Erie, PA	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	3.23%
South Bend, IN	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$41K	$57K	$75K	85	5%
Bowling Green, KY	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	5%
Mobile, AL	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$41K	$57K	$75K	88	6.5%
Norman, OK	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	4.75%
Broken Arrow, OK	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	4.75%
Des Moines, IA	$41K	$57K	$75K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$41K	$57K	$76K	82	4.82%
Omaha, NE	$41K	$57K	$75K	88	5.84%
Las Cruces, NM	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$41K	$57K	$75K	80	5%
El Paso, TX	$41K	$56K	$74K	82	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$41K	$56K	$74K	84	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$41K	$56K	$74K	75	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$41K	$56K	$75K	78	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$41K	$56K	$74K	85	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$41K	$56K	$75K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$41K	$56K	$75K	78	3.23%
Birmingham, AL	$41K	$56K	$74K	82	5%
New Orleans, LA	$41K	$56K	$74K	92	6%
Baton Rouge, LA	$41K	$56K	$74K	88	6%
Shreveport, LA	$41K	$56K	$75K	78	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$41K	$56K	$74K	88	5.9%
Jackson, MS	$41K	$56K	$75K	78	5%
Fort Smith, AR	$41K	$56K	$74K	75	4.9%
Charleston, WV	$41K	$56K	$75K	78	6.5%
Huntington, WV	$41K	$56K	$74K	75	6.5%
Lubbock, TX	$40K	$55K	$72K	78	None ✓
Savannah, GA	$40K	$55K	$72K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$40K	$55K	$72K	82	None ✓
Oklahoma City, OK	$40K	$55K	$72K	82	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$40K	$55K	$72K	82	5.7%
Little Rock, AR	$40K	$55K	$72K	82	4.9%
Laredo, TX	$38K	$53K	$70K	76	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$39K	$53K	$71K	80	4.75%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $62K K-12 Teacher salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

K-12 Teacher Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a K-12 Teacher is $62,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $45,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $82,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of K-12 Teachers nationally earn $105,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in Education; state teaching certification. This role is 5% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

K-12 Teacher compensation is growing at 1.8% annually, near the national average wage growth rate.

K-12 Teacher salary FAQ

How much does a K-12 Teacher make?

The median K-12 Teacher salary in the US is $62,000 per year — about $30/hour. Most earn between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $82,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a K-12 Teacher?

Entry-level K-12 Teacher positions typically start around $45,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid K-12 Teachers earn?

The top 10% of K-12 Teachers earn $105,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays K-12 Teachers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median K-12 Teacher salary at $81K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are K-12 Teacher salaries going up?

Yes — K-12 Teacher pay is growing about 1.8% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.

K-12 Teacher Salaryby City (2026)