These are the best states for teachers, data suggests

Teacher goes viral for eating lunch with students in cafeteria daily

Dan Shutes, a Michigan teacher, recently went viral on social media after he revealed he eats lunch daily in the school?s cafeteria with his students. (Credit: Dan Shutes)

WalletHub is out with new data on the best and worst states for teachers. 

Dig deeper:

Wallet Hub says teaching remains one of the most influential professions, with educators playing a central role in shaping the future of young learners. 

However, many teachers continue to face long hours, heavy workloads, and salaries that lag behind other professions requiring a bachelor’s degree. 

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According to recent data, the average teacher now earns $3,728 less per year than they did 16 years ago when adjusted for inflation.

The challenges vary by state, with some offering stronger protections and fairer compensation than others. States that prioritize competitive pay and supportive working conditions see lower teacher turnover, avoiding the revolving door that plagues less supportive regions. 

What they're saying:

"Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America – educating the next generation – teachers are often underpaid and underappreciated," Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst, said online. "The states that make a teaching career the most rewarding are those that compensate educators well, invest heavily in educational resources, pass laws that improve school-system quality, and provide supportive conditions that lead to low turnover."

(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Methodology:

To shed light on where educators fare best, WalletHub conducted a nationwide analysis of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The study examined 24 key indicators of teacher-friendliness, including income growth potential, pupil-teacher ratios, and public-school spending per student.

The best states for teachers

By the numbers:

Virginia

Virginia has emerged as the best state in the nation for teachers, driven largely by its exceptional income growth potential. 

While the state sits at 14th in the country for average starting salary ($47,466) and 21st for overall average teacher pay ($64,691), educators can expect significant salary gains as their careers progress.

The demand for teachers in Virginia is also on the rise. By 2032, the state is projected to rank 12th lowest in the nation for the number of teachers per 1,000 students, signaling ample opportunities for new educators. 

Teachers in Virginia also benefit from relatively quick job security, with tenure offered after just three years, and they work within the fourth-best school system in the country.

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Utah 

Utah has the nation’s second-highest average annual starting salary after cost-of-living adjustments, at $53,748. 

Salaries in Utah have also risen dramatically, with teacher pay increasing by 50% over the past decade—the second-best growth rate nationwide.

Teachers in Utah are eligible for tenure after three years, while demand is expected to remain steady, with the state projected to have the 13th-lowest number of teachers per 1,000 students by 2032. 

Notably, Utah leads the country in administrative support, with more than 63% of educators strongly agreeing they receive encouragement from school leadership. 

Washington 

Washington has recorded the highest growth in teacher salaries in the country—an increase of more than 75%. 

Today, it offers the second-highest adjusted average annual salary ($79,774) and the fourth-highest starting salary ($50,369).

Teachers in Washington earn tenure after just three years and benefit from progressive classroom policies. The state is one of only 27 to mandate annual teacher evaluations and has established a digital learning plan to ensure continuity in the event of school closures. 

Additionally, Washington stands out as the 16th-best state for working mothers, offering added support for female teachers with children.