The average public school teacher salary in the U.S. rose to $74,495 in the last school year, a 3.5% increase from the prior year. But after adjusting for inflation, teachers are estimated to be earning less today than in 2017, according to a new review of state education data by the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest teachers’ union.
The annual NEA release compiles the latest figures directly from state departments of education on teacher and support staff pay, student enrollment and school revenues from federal, state and local sources.
Key findings:
– $74,495 — National average teacher salary
NEA estimates about 3.2 million teachers worked in U.S. public schools in the last school year, with an average salary near $74,500 (excluding benefits). State leaders in 2024–25 included California ($103,552), New York ($98,655) and Washington ($96,589). Lowest averages were in Mississippi ($54,975), Florida ($56,663) and Louisiana ($56,785). These figures do not adjust for local cost-of-living differences, which affect real purchasing power.
– Inflation’s impact on pay
NEA projected or estimated teacher salary averages for 2026 and compared them to 2017. Although nominal pay rose over the decade, inflation adjustments show a near 5% decline in real teacher earnings. NEA President Becky Pringle said educators are struggling to remain in the profession and deserve pay that reflects their expertise and value.
Only 11 states saw inflation-adjusted pay increases since 2017. Washington stands out with a 36% rise after its supreme court ordered major increases in school funding and imposed fines to compel action.
– $48,112 — Average starting teacher salary
Nationally, average starting pay for new teachers rose 3.4% in 2024–25, but real growth after inflation was below 1%. Highest starting salaries were in the District of Columbia ($64,640), Washington ($60,658), California ($59,424), New Jersey ($58,727) and Utah ($57,849). Lowest were Montana ($36,682), Nebraska ($39,561), Missouri ($40,682), Oklahoma ($41,294) and Kentucky ($41,901). These numbers are not adjusted for regional cost differences.
– $36,360 — Average support staff salary
Support staff (custodians, cafeteria workers, paraeducators, bus drivers, security staff) averaged $36,360 in 2024–25, a roughly $1,400 increase over the prior year. But compared with 2016, support staff pay has fallen by about $2,344 after accounting for inflation.
– Collective bargaining correlation
States with collective-bargaining laws show higher average starting and top teacher salaries: starting pay is about $366 higher and top pay about $15,105 higher on average. Support staff earn roughly 13% more in bargaining states. More than 80% of districts are in states with some form of collective bargaining; seven states expressly prohibit it. While the data show correlation, they don’t prove direct causation. South Carolina is a noted exception: despite lacking a bargaining law, lawmakers approved an 11% increase for starting teachers last year.
– Declining student enrollment
Public school enrollment at the start of 2024–25 was nearly 49 million students, a 0.3% drop from the previous fall and about a 3.6% decline since 2016. NEA researchers estimate enrollment fell another 1% between last year and the current school year.
– Student-teacher ratio
Schools enrolled an average of 15.1 students per teacher in 2024–25, unchanged from 2023–24. State variation is substantial: Arizona, Nevada and Utah averaged about 22 students per teacher, while Vermont, New York and the District of Columbia averaged about 10–11 students per teacher.
– How schools are funded
The federal government’s share of school revenue is small and shrinking. Federal dollars—mostly for poverty mitigation and special education—accounted for 7.8% of total school revenue in the last school year and are estimated at 7.3% this year. State governments provided about 47% of funding for 2025 and local governments (largely property taxes) about 45%. The federal share has declined partly as COVID-19 relief funds have wound down; some states spent those dollars faster than others.
States where federal funding still makes up 10% or more of school revenue include Kentucky (17.5%), Alaska (16.5%), New Mexico (14.1%), Louisiana (14.1%), Arkansas (13.0%), South Dakota (12.4%), West Virginia (11.9%), Mississippi (11.8%), Montana (11.4%), South Carolina (10.8%), Tennessee (10.6%), Alabama (10.3%), Arizona (10.3%) and Florida (10.2%). Many of these are Republican-controlled states.
The NEA’s annual review, using state department reports and NEA estimates where necessary, highlights that while nominal pay and certain salary metrics have risen, inflation and regional cost factors mean many educators and support staff face lower real earnings than earlier in the decade.
