What Are The Best States To Live And Work In As A Teacher?
contributed by Brian Neese, Southeastern University
For years, it as been clear that more teachers are needed in the United States.
And many are stepping up to answer that call. But despite the need for teachers, not all states are created equal. Budgets are distributed differently, not only within states but also within counties. Resources and access can differ dramatically. And although many teachers begin the work for the love of education, cost of living is still significant factors in career satisfaction.
With the patchwork quilt of information about how much teachers earn across the United States, it can be difficult to determine where to settle down. Although many factors contribute to the decision to live and work in a specific area, pay is one significant factor. Cost of living, however, also needs to be considered, because that is a determinant in how much compensation a teacher actually takes home. The need for teachers in various regions, as well as what types of teachers are needed, can also play a role in the decision to live and work in a given state.
Using salary information from the National Education Association and the U.S. Department of Education, Southeastern University’s interactive map illustrates the best states to teach in America based on monetary factors. It also includes cost-of-living information from The Council for Community and Economic Research and a summary of tenure protections using the information provided by the Education Commission of the States.
The Top States for Teachers
Pennsylvania and Wyoming lead the nation as the best states to teach in America. As two top 10 states for all three salary metrics — average starting salary, the average salary for teachers with a bachelor’s degree, and the average salary for teachers with a master’s degree — they are the only states that rank this highly for income and also fall outside of the top 10 for the highest cost of living. Not only do these teachers earn more, but they also pay less for basic living expenses, leaving them with more take-home money.
Other states that offer a strong value for teachers include Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, and Ohio. These are the only states found in the top half nationally for all pay metrics while staying in the bottom half for the cost of living.
It is important to note that metro areas can affect the statewide averages for earnings and cost-of-living data. Teachers should examine various regions within a state to gain a clearer picture of how pay and cost of living interact in any given area. Of course, the various regions of the United States each have their own charms … and challenges. Here are just a few of the aspects teachers should consider about each area.
Northeast: This area offers a competitive base wage with a relatively high cost of living. All nine states have a cost of living in the upper 40 percent of the country, with five states falling in the top 10. New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut lead the region in pay indicators. Pennsylvania is the best value for teachers in this region, with high monetary figures and a slightly above-average cost of living.
South: This area fluctuates in terms of the cost of living and earnings data for teachers. Texas is the strongest value for teachers in the South. It has a cost of living in the bottom 25th percentile and offers two top 15 pay metrics. Kentucky is another value in the South. It has the fourth-best cost of living in the nation and can be found in the top half of states in the country for average starting teacher earnings and the average income for teachers with a master’s degree.
West: This region offers a generally high cost of living with varying ranges for compensation metrics. Only four of the 13 states in the West place in the lower half of the cost-of-living rankings. For states with a high cost of living, pay figures can be high (Alaska and California) or near the middle (Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Colorado) as compared to national averages. Wyoming leads the West, and likely the nation, in terms of pay and cost of living balance. It ranks in the top 10 nationally for all three monetary figures and has a 93.9 percent cost-of-living average for the state, which is below the national average.
Midwest: This region presents value for teachers looking to balance the cost of living and income. Nine of the 12 Midwestern states are in the bottom half nationally for the highest cost of living, while seven are in the top half nationally for average base compensation for teachers with a master’s degree. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin emerge as top states in the region for pay and cost of living. Illinois and Michigan lead the country for the highest percent increase between average base wages for teachers with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Illinois is first at 42.6 percent, while Michigan comes in second with a 35.7 percent increase in earnings — no other states in the nation exceed the 30 percent mark.
The Importance of Education for Teachers
One of the most powerful ways for teachers to increase their earning potential is to advance their education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, teachers with a bachelor’s degree earn a national average base pay of $46,340, while teachers with a master’s degree earn an average base wage of $57,830 — a 24.8 percent increase.
In addition to an increase in income, teachers with a master’s degree are more competitive in the job market. Ease of mobility, enhanced job security, and other opportunities are generally more open to teachers with a master’s degree than to those with just a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree can also lead to specialization opportunities that can enhance teachers’ career opportunities, earnings, and overall career development.
Specializations matter. The current need for teachers with specialized skills highlights an opportunity for teachers across the country. In the 2014–2015 school year, five subjects were in demand by at least half of the states in the U.S., including more than three-fourths of states for special education, math, and science, and more than half of states for foreign language and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). In-demand specializations include the following:
Special Education: The number of U.S. students enrolled in special education programs in the past 10 years has risen 30 percent. (National Education Association).
Math and Science: Initiatives surrounding enhanced proficiency in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have resulted in an increased demand for teachers. The U.S. Department of Education has reported a plan that includes developing, recruiting, and retaining 100,000 STEM teachers over the next 10 years.
Foreign Language and TESOL: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 9.1 percent of public school students in the United States were English language learners. The rise in English language learners — especially students from households that speak Spanish — has resulted in an increase of teachers who can help foreign language learners in their native language, as well as teachers who can help learners improve their English skills.
Teachers looking to specialize in a certain area can pursue certification in a specific degree concentration. For instance, a master’s degree in special education or TESOL is a common option for teachers to advance their education and earn a career specialization.
Although choosing a location is not based solely on pay and cost of living, understanding these factors can help teachers decide where to pursue a career. When taking into account available data for earnings and cost of living, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Indiana, Illinois and Louisiana fared well in the analysis of the best states to teach in America. Florida is another top state when considering state-specific data. No matter where teachers live, however, a master’s degree improves compensation and mobility prospects. Specializing in an in-demand subject area increases those metrics, as well.
For teachers looking to advance their careers with a master’s degree, it’s important to choose a university that offers the most valuable specializations. Southeastern University, for example, offers online Master of Education programs with five specialization options, as well as an online Doctor of Education program. Teachers can use these degrees to improve their career prospects and then choose the area that best meets their needs.
Online education degree programs at Southeastern University include the following:
Doctor of Education
MEd in Arts and Academic Interdisciplinary Education
MEd in Elementary Education
MEd in Educational Leadership
MEd in Exceptional Student Education
MEd in Reading Education
MEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages