Guide
Lowest-Paying States for Teachers: 2024-25 Ranking
Published
Among the lowest paying states for teachers, Mississippi ranks last, with an average salary of $54,975 in 2024-25.
The national average teacher salary is $74,495. Mississippi sits $19,520 below it. For a broader comparison, see highest paying states for teachers and the teacher starting salary by state guide.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi has the lowest average teacher salary at $54,975.
- Average starting salaries in the bottom 10 range from $36,682 to $50,076.
- State minimum salary rules differ, and district starting salaries can be higher.
Lowest state average teacher salaries
The Bottom 10 by Average Salary
The bottom 10 average salaries range from $54,975 in Mississippi to $60,594 in Kentucky. Each one is below the national average of $74,495.
- Rank 50: Mississippi, $54,975, or $19,520 below the national average.
- Rank 49: Florida, $56,663, or $17,832 below the national average.
- Rank 48: Louisiana, $56,785, or $17,710 below the national average.
- Rank 47: Missouri, $57,366, or $17,129 below the national average.
- Rank 46: West Virginia, $58,099, or $16,396 below the national average.
- Rank 45: South Dakota, $58,486, or $16,009 below the national average.
- Rank 44: Arkansas, $59,193, or $15,302 below the national average.
- Rank 43: Montana, $59,305, or $15,190 below the national average.
- Rank 42: North Carolina, $60,323, or $14,172 below the national average.
- Rank 41: Kentucky, $60,594, or $13,901 below the national average.
Starting Pay in the Lowest-Paying States
Montana has the lowest average starting salary in this group at $36,682, while Arkansas has the highest at $50,076.
The national average starting salary is $48,112. Average starting pay in the bottom 10 spans both sides of that figure, so compare a state average with the salary schedule for the district where you plan to apply.
State Minimum Salaries
State minimum salary rules vary across these states: some publish a minimum salary amount, while others have no statewide minimum schedule.
- Mississippi: $43,500
- Missouri: $40,000
- West Virginia: $43,015
- South Dakota: $46,201
- Arkansas: $50,000
- North Carolina: $48,000
- Kentucky: $29,804
- Florida has no state minimum teacher salary schedule.
- Louisiana has no statewide minimum teacher salary schedule.
- Montana has no statewide minimum teacher salary schedule; districts bargain pay locally.
Districts That Pay More Than the State Average
Each of the bottom 10 states has a district bachelor's starting salary above its statewide average starting salary.
The figures below pair each state's average starting salary with its highest district bachelor's starting salary. They show how a district's entry-level offer can differ from the statewide average.
| State | Average starting salary | District and bachelor's starting salary |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $43,814 | DeSoto County School District, $51,201 |
| Florida | $49,435 | Pinellas County Schools, $60,405 |
| Louisiana | $46,850 | East Baton Rouge Parish School System, $56,000 |
| Missouri | $40,682 | St. Louis Public Schools, $52,232 |
| West Virginia | $45,294 | Monongalia County Schools, $51,100 |
| South Dakota | $47,196 | Brandon Valley School District 49-2, $55,615 |
| Arkansas | $50,076 | Bentonville School District, $58,582 |
| Montana | $36,682 | Butte School District No. 1, $53,201.07 |
| North Carolina | $44,952 | Durham Public Schools, $55,750 |
| Kentucky | $41,901 | Boone County Schools, $53,575 |
The Lowest-Paying States: Full Table
The full ranking shows average salaries, gaps from the national average, starting pay, state minimums, and each state's highest district bachelor's starting salary.
| Rank | State | Average teacher salary | Below national average by | Average starting salary | State minimum salary | Highest district bachelor's starting salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Mississippi | $54,975 | $19,520 | $43,814 | $43,500 | DeSoto County School District, $51,201 |
| 49 | Florida | $56,663 | $17,832 | $49,435 | Florida has no state minimum teacher salary schedule. | Pinellas County Schools, $60,405 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $56,785 | $17,710 | $46,850 | Louisiana has no statewide minimum teacher salary schedule. | East Baton Rouge Parish School System, $56,000 |
| 47 | Missouri | $57,366 | $17,129 | $40,682 | $40,000 | St. Louis Public Schools, $52,232 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $58,099 | $16,396 | $45,294 | $43,015 | Monongalia County Schools, $51,100 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $58,486 | $16,009 | $47,196 | $46,201 | Brandon Valley School District 49-2, $55,615 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $59,193 | $15,302 | $50,076 | $50,000 | Bentonville School District, $58,582 |
| 43 | Montana | $59,305 | $15,190 | $36,682 | Montana has no statewide minimum teacher salary schedule; districts bargain pay locally. | Butte School District No. 1, $53,201.07 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $60,323 | $14,172 | $44,952 | $48,000 | Durham Public Schools, $55,750 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $60,594 | $13,901 | $41,901 | $29,804 | Boone County Schools, $53,575 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $60,704 | $13,791 | $45,252 | $27,500 | Mandan Public Schools, $55,550 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $61,222 | $13,273 | $47,230 | $50,000 | Metro Nashville Public Schools, $54,521.41 |
| 38 | Kansas | $61,470 | $13,025 | $44,163 | Kansas has no state minimum teacher salary schedule. | Shawnee Mission School District (USD 512), $53,143 |
| 37 | Indiana | $61,661 | $12,834 | $45,958 | Indiana has no state minimum salary schedule; districts set pay through local collective bargaining. | Indianapolis Public Schools, $55,600 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $61,931 | $12,564 | $41,294 | $41,601 | Norman Public Schools, $48,362 |
Figures come from the official salary schedules linked on our state and district pages. Districts revise schedules, so confirm the school year and placement rules with the official source before you rely on a number.