PlainTeacher

District comparison guide

Compare School Districts

Use PlainTeacher data to compare estimated teacher salaries, per-pupil spending, and enrollment across school districts nationwide. All data comes from the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey (FY2022).

How to Compare Districts Effectively

When comparing school districts, look beyond a single metric. Estimated teacher salary alone does not tell the full story. A district with high salaries may also have high cost of living, large class sizes, or limited support services. For a meaningful comparison, examine these metrics together:

  • Estimated average teacher salary: How much the district spends on instruction per estimated teacher FTE. Higher values suggest better compensation but may be inflated in districts with fewer teacher aides.
  • Per-pupil spending: Total expenditure divided by enrollment. Captures everything from salaries to transportation to facilities. The national average is approximately $14,000.
  • Enrollment: District size affects everything from class sizes to available resources. Larger districts benefit from economies of scale; smaller districts may offer more personalized environments.
  • Revenue sources: Districts that rely heavily on local property taxes tend to have more funding volatility. Districts with strong state funding may be more stable but subject to state budget politics.

Finding Districts to Compare

Browse districts by state on our state pages, or search for specific districts using the search tool. Each district profile page includes estimated salary, per-pupil spending, enrollment, and comparison to state and national averages.

For a deeper understanding of what these metrics mean, read our guides:

Important Notes

Teacher salary estimates on PlainTeacher are derived from total instructional expenditure data, not individual salary records. Estimates are most accurate for large, traditional school districts. For precise salary information, consult your state's public employee salary database or the district's published salary schedule. See our methodology page for full details on how estimates are calculated.