BEST AND WORST STATES FOR TEACHERS
from WalletHub, September, 2025
With World Teachers’ Day around the corner but teachers making an average of $3,728 less per year than they did 16 years ago when adjusted for inflation, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on 2025’s Best & Worst States for Teachers, as well as expert commentary.
In order to help educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student.
Teaching can be a profoundly rewarding career, considering the critical role educators play in shaping young minds. Unfortunately, many teachers find themselves overworked and underpaid. Education jobs are among the lowest-paying occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree, and teacher salaries consistently fail to keep up with inflation. In fact, teachers earn an average of $3,728 less per year than they did 16 years ago, when you adjust for inflation.
Teachers are more fairly compensated and better protected in some states than in others, though. The best states are less likely to face a revolving door of teacher turnover. To help America’s educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 24 key indicators of teacher-friendliness. Our data set ranges from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student.
Key Facts
- The best states for teachers in 2025 are Virginia, Utah, Washington, New York and Illinois.
- The worst states for teachers in 2025 are South Dakota, New Hampshire, Maine, Montana and Hawaii.
- Important factors determining the best states for teachers include compensation, tenure protections, state spending per student, school-system quality and turnover rates.
Teacher-Friendliness of Hawaii (1=Best; 25=Avg.)
Overall rank for Hawaii: 51st
- 50th – Avg. Starting Salary for Teachers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
- 51st – Avg. Salary for Teachers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
- 42nd – Quality of School System
- 25th – Pupil-Teacher Ratio
- 15th – Public-School Spending per Student
- 38th – Teachers’ Income Growth Potential
- 33rd – Projected Competition in Year 2032
Full report: wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers
CS: Best, worst states for teachers ranked as student scores drop | National | thecentersquare.com
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