Several states with both high average teacher salaries and large student enrollments boosted the nation’s average annual teacher salary to $47,808. California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania all reported average teacher salaries higher than $52,000 and student enrollments nearing one million or more. Fifteen states’ average teacher salaries were lower than $39,999. Connecticut reported the highest 2004-2005 average teacher salary, $58,688.
“Public education in America must raise teacher salaries at a rate faster than inflation in order to attract and retain the quality teaching force necessary to remain competitive in the global marketplace, as well as to maintain a high functioning society,” says Weaver.
To support teachers in their careers and to encourage more professionals to enter the field of education, NEA is advocating for a minimum beginning salary of $40,000 for all teachers nationwide.
Beginning salaries for other professional careers, such as accounting, nursing and business management, regularly outrank the teaching profession, leaving many teachers struggling with multiple jobs in order to meet their personal financial obligations.
In addition to data on teacher salaries, school expenditures and school revenue, the study also includes information on student enrollments, number of teachers in public schools and student-teacher ratios.
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