States with the highest average public school teacher salary 2020-21

The National Education Association’s Rankings and Estimates report for 2021 estimates that the average salary for public school classroom teachers nationwide was $65,090 for 2020-21.

That represents a 1.49% increase over the 2019-20 figure of $64,133, the NEA says. Over a decade (2011-12 to 2021-22), the average teacher salary rose 16.1%, but when the numbers are adjusted for inflation, the average teacher saw his or her salary rise over the decade by 0.88%.

The state with the highest average salary for teachers in 2020-21 is New York--$87,738.

Here the 10 states (and the District of Columbia) with the highest average teacher salaries in 2020-21:

1. New York                            $87,738
2. Massachusetts                   $86,315
3. California                            $85,892
4. District of Columbia         $80,659
5. Connecticut                        $79,742
6. Washington                        $79,529
7. New Jersey                         $77,489
8. Rhode Island                      $75,966
9. Maryland                             $74,514
10. Alaska                                  $72,861