Teachers in the United States are primarily paid from state and local funds, not federal, with pay amounts and funding mechanisms varying widely by state, district, and teacher experience.

The average annual teacher salary for 2023–24 is about $72,000 nationwide, but the range spans from just above $50,000 to over $100,000 in some states.[1][2][3]

How Teachers Get Paid

Funding Breakdown

Salary Examples & Statistics

Key Examples

Summary Points

• Most teacher pay comes from state and local budgets.
• Federal funds supplement only for specific needs—not base salaries.
• Big variation exists in pay by state, district, experience, and unionization.[7][3][2]
• 2024 National average salary: about $72,000.
• Starting salaries are much lower (often $35,000–$50,000).

Numbers and structures are subject to local law, union negotiation, and periodic legislative changes.[12][5][4]

• Sources

How Many Teachers Lack a Living Wage

Over half of U.S. states have average teacher salaries that are below a living wage for their region, and a substantial share of teachers in many states—especially new teachers—earn less than what is required for financial adequacy.[1][2][3]

National and State-Level Overview

Key Examples and Percentages

Summary Table