PlainTeacher

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about teacher salary estimates, data sources, and how to interpret district figures.

Are the salary figures on PlainTeacher actual reported salaries?

No — these are estimates. The NCES F-33 finance survey reports total instructional salary expenditures (including teachers, aides, and assistants) but does not report individual teacher headcount or FTE. PlainTeacher estimates average salary by dividing total instructional salaries by an implied teacher count derived from enrollment and the national average student-teacher ratio of 15:1.

Where does the salary data come from?

All data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, FY2022 release (2021-22 school year). The F-33 is an annual federal survey that collects revenue and expenditure data from every public school district in the United States.

Why does my district show an unusually high or low salary estimate?

Estimates can vary widely for several reasons: the 15:1 student-teacher ratio assumption may not match your district's actual ratio; Z33 (instructional salaries) includes aides and assistants in addition to teachers; specialized service districts (County Offices of Education, etc.) often show inflated estimates because they serve more students than they enroll. Small districts with fewer than 100 students are most prone to statistical noise.

What is the NCES F-33 survey?

The F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey is an annual census conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). It collects detailed revenue and expenditure data from every public school district (Local Education Agency or LEA) in the US. Variable Z33 specifically captures total instructional salary expenditures.

How do I find the actual teacher salary in my district?

For accurate, individual-level salary data, check your state's public employee salary database, your district's approved salary schedule (usually on the district website), or contact the local teachers union. Many states publish this information online.

How many school districts does PlainTeacher cover?

PlainTeacher covers over 13,000 public school districts across all 50 states and DC. This includes all government-entity LEAs with at least 25 enrolled students that reported F-33 data for FY2022.

Does PlainTeacher include charter schools or private schools?

PlainTeacher covers public school districts as defined in the NCES CCD. Many charter school management organizations are included if they are classified as LEAs. Private schools are not in the CCD and are therefore not included.

How current is the data?

The current database reflects FY2022 (2021-22 school year) F-33 data, published by NCES in June 2024. NCES updates F-33 annually. We update PlainTeacher when new data becomes available.