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Bachelors vs. Masters: Compare Salaries in 50 States
US Department of Education: Institute of Educational Sciences (nces.ed.gov)
Becoming a teacher isn’t about making a lot of money, but it is important to know what salary to expect to budget your life accordingly. The following salaries represent the starting salaries for teachers for all 50 states that hold either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. For comparison, the state salary average is included as well and represents beginning and experienced educators. Why wait? Search for your next teaching job now.
Starting Salaries For New Teachers
Want more pay? Search our scholarships to pay for your degree.
| State Average | Starting Bachelors | Starting Masters | |
| Alabama | $36,240 | $29,640 | $34,140 |
| Alaska | $59,940 | $37,290 | $43,450 |
| Arizona | $37,340 | $29,510 | $34,210 |
| Arkansas | $36,095 | $26,210 | $33,580 |
| California | $55,185 | $38,920 | $44,980 |
| Colorado | $42,050 | $30,570 | $38,020 |
| Connecticut | $52,860 | $37,800 | $43,290 |
| Delaware | $47,940 | n/a | n/a |
| Dist. Columbia | $51,900 | n/a | $43,680 |
| Florida | $39,290 | $31,140 | $33, 570 |
| Georgia | $42,350 | $32,220 | $40,490 |
| Hawaii | $41,080 | $32,620 | $37,550 |
| Idaho | $40,145 | $25,060 | n/a |
| Illinois | $46,420 | $33,280 | $42,590 |
| Indiana | $42,180 | $29,270 | n/a |
| Iowa | $37,740 | $26,140 | n/a |
| Kansas | $36,345 | $28,500 | n/a |
| Kentucky | $36,090 | $$28,400 | $35,310 |
| Want more pay? | Search Scholarships | Or Degree Programs | |
| Louisiana | $35,295 | $28,380 | n/a |
| Maine | $39,555 | $27,300 | $29,830 |
| Maryland | $48,075 | $33,100 | $41,540 |
| Massachusetts | $48,715 | $34,000 | $42,360 |
| Michigan | $52,455 | $34,340 | $47,760 |
| Minnesota | $38,745 | $30,561 | $38,670 |
| Mississippi | $35,175 | $27,110 | $30,810 |
| Missouri | $36,110 | $27,220 | $30,810 |
| Montana | $35,760 | $23,190 | n/a |
| Nebraska | $35,140 | $26,790 | $29,930 |
| Nevada | $40,870 | $27,220 | $36,130 |
| N. Hampshire | $41,970 | $28,880 | $35,580 |
| New Jersey | $54,990 | $37,000 | $43,410 |
| New Mexico | $37,205 | $28,830 | $33,060 |
| New York | $49,640 | $36,000 | $45,710 |
| North Carolina | $38,185 | $26,930 | $33,670 |
| North Dakota | $35,290 | $23,810 | n/a |
| Ohio | $45,845 | $30,430 | $39,170 |
| Oklahoma | $32,885 | $27,330 | $29,280 |
| Oregon | $44,140 | n/a | $37,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,525 | $33,030 | $39,530 |
| Rhode Island | $52,235 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $38,930 | $27,610 | $34,380 |
| South Dakota | $33,515 | $24,980 | n/a |
| Tennessee | $37,065 | $29,690 | $33,590 |
| Texas | $40,755 | $32,330 | $36,660 |
| Utah | $39,265 | $25,140 | n/a |
| Vermont | $41,890 | n/a | n/a |
| Want more pay? | Search Scholarships | Or Degree Programs | |
| Virginia | $40,690 | $31,990 | $36,710 |
| Washington | $44,005 | $30,010 | $37,990 |
| West Virginia | $36,710 | n/a | $34,060 |
| Wisconsin | $42,450 | $28,630 | $35,510 |
| Wyoming | $37,845 | $28,270 | n/a |
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PosExp
6 months ago
2 comments
I don't know of too many other professions right now where the State or Federal government(s) will reimburse you for up to 50% of your student loans and will also forgive up to 50% of your mortgage just for doing what you've chosen to pursue as your career. The APLE Program and the HUD - Teacher Next Door Programs alone could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars in your pocket simply for getting your teaching credential, being able to teach or work in admin (Risk Management, IT, Nursing office etc...) for a school district for three lousy years. Even the Americorps and PeaceCorps don't give you that kind of deal. Now here's the kicker! Can you teach at a Community College / Four Year University without a Master's Degree?
How much is that worth?
Leikela
8 months ago
2 comments
How come you neglected to include US territories like Guam, CMNI, Puerto Rico, etc.? We are US teachers and facing the same challenges of salaries, fed/state standards, etc.
PWood
9 months ago
2 comments
These salaries are much much too high! Come on! How much "more" or "better" will you be able to teach with a Masters degree. NONE. If that were true - I should be able to implement 'No Teacher Left Behind.' Any school with teachers not bright enough to earn a Masters degree will be punished!
Daisy
10 months ago
4 comments
I just went back and checked the Texas Minimum Salary Schedule and it starts at $27,200 with a masters or bachelor's degree. The amount quoted here is $5000 more than the acutal amount. Their are schools in the major metropolitan areas that start pay above base pay, but many of us receive only what the state guarantees.
Daisy
10 months ago
4 comments
I donot know where you obtained your information but in Texas the state does not increase your salary for having a Master's Degree. If you happen to work for a wealty district you might receive a stipend.
AnimalLover
10 months ago
2 comments
Texas does not reward teachers for having a masters degree. It's only important for administrators who value it and if you plan on moving up into administration.
endpotter
10 months ago
2 comments
This is interesting information. I already have my Masters degree. The problem is that I don't have the experience associated with such a high level of education. I have been substitute teaching in hopes of closing the gap. I'm interested to hear what other people think.
Wally
10 months ago
10 comments
In NM, we just finished phasing in a 3-tier salary system mandated by the legislature. Rookie teachers start at no less than 30K. They are expected to perform well and complete a dossier of their teaching within 5 years to advance to level II, which has a minimum salary of 40K. Teachers with masters degrees can complete a dossier of their teaching and advance to level III with a min.salary of 50K. It took several years to phase this in, but it is now in effect as of this school year. Teachers still complain, though.
johnslat
10 months ago
1592 comments
I haven't found the most recent BA/MA comparison for New Mexico yet, but there's this:
Beginning Teacher Salary:
$31,315
Average Teacher Salary:
$41,637
The U.S. average one-year increase in public school teacher salaries from 2004–05 to 2005–06 was 2.9%.
The largest one-year increases—5 percent or more— were in Delaware (7.3%), Hawaii (6.8%), Wyoming
(6.8%), Mississippi (6.2%), Alabama (5.7%), New Mexico (5.7%), Arkansas (5.6%), and Kansas (5.4%).
NM is Number 36 among the states, with the $41,637 average. Yup, we are improving. Back in 2003/2004, we used to be Number 41.
This site has some good info:
http://www.nea.org/edstats/images/07rankings.pdf
Wally
10 months ago
10 comments
Old information. New Mexico has made significant advances since 2004.
Jill
11 months ago
742 comments
You can find more career articles here: http://www.theapple.com/careers/articles
tava
11 months ago
22 comments
Very interesting. Most of these states still don't pay much for a Masters. NY and NJ seem to be high but their cost of living is outrageous. It makes sense to look at the cost of living in the states you wnat to work in as well. You had an article earlier about the ten best states to teach in. I accidently deleted it. Could you send that info again please.
Thanks.
Tracey,Pittsburgh. PA