State profile · NCES F-33 FY2022
Teacher Salary in Illinois
According to the NCES Common Core of Data finance survey, estimated teacher pay and per-pupil spending are available across 848 public school districts in Illinois.
- $86,298
- Est. state avg salary
- +0.6%
- vs national
- #17
- National rank
- 848
- Districts
Illinois's estimated average teacher salary is $86,298, near the national average of $85,759, ranking #17 of 51 states and territories, across 848 public school districts (NCES CCD F-33, FY2022).
- upper third nationally (#17 of 51)
- $131,650 spread between its highest- and lowest-paying districts
- +0.6% vs the national average
- +12.6% since FY2019
- #22 of 51 purchasing-power-adjusted (BEA RPP 101.2)
What does the NCES F-33 data show for Illinois?
Illinois reports 848 public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data FY2022 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, with an average teacher salary of $86,298. That places the state in the upper third of US teacher-pay rankings - #17 of 51, near the national average of $85,759 (+0.6%). The state's public schools serve 1,860,095 students across these districts. Most district figures divide total instructional spending by the district's REPORTED teacher headcount (NCES CCD Staff Universe Survey); a small number of large consolidated districts that report staffing only at a sub-district level fall back to an estimated ratio instead, since total instructional spending also includes aides and assistants, both figures run somewhat above survey-reported classroom-teacher-only salaries, treat this as a relative cross-district comparison, not an exact paycheck, and see our methodology for the formula, its data source per district, and its limits.
Among enrolling districts, pay varies widely: Twp HSD 113 reports the highest estimated average salary at $162,736, while Clay City CUSD 10 sits at the lower end at $31,086 - a spread of $131,650 between top and bottom reporting districts. Licensing rules, state aid formulas, collective bargaining density, and local tax bases all drive this intra-state variation. Urban and suburban districts with larger tax bases typically lead, while rural districts often lag despite lower cost of living.
Teacher compensation here reflects both state policy choices, the statutory minimum salary schedule, pension funding levels, licensure reciprocity, and the funding formula that determines how much state aid each district receives per pupil. A #17 national rank signals where Illinois sits in the competition for teachers against neighboring states; teacher shortage areas typically correlate with lower pay rank. Figures below are per-district averages derived from the F-33 instructional salary expenditure field (Z33) divided by each district's reported teacher FTE (or an estimated FTE for the small minority with no reported figure), a district-level aggregate, not individual salary records.
Purchasing-power-adjusted rank
Illinois's nominal average teacher salary ranks #17 of 51 states and territories. Adjusted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2022 Regional Price Parity (101.2, US = 100, a relative state-level price-level index, not a district or metro cost-of-living figure), the estimate becomes $85,270, ranking #22 of 51 , 5 places lower than the nominal rank once relative price levels are factored in. This purchasing-power view is not published by NEA's teacher-pay rankings or the aggregator sites; it comes from combining our own F-33-derived salary estimate with BEA's public RPP series. See the full 51-state release for methodology and download.
Illinois's estimated average teacher salary, FY2019-FY2022
Highest-paying districts in Illinois
Estimated average teacher salary, enrolling districts (200+ students)
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$162,736 Est. avg salary
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$160,543 Est. avg salary
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$159,431 Est. avg salary
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$158,068 Est. avg salary
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$153,064 Est. avg salary
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$150,061 Est. avg salary
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$149,185 Est. avg salary
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$149,184 Est. avg salary
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$146,319 Est. avg salary
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$142,569 Est. avg salary
What this shows Twp HSD 113 leads Illinois on the F-33 instructional-salary estimate. Service entities (CTCs, county offices) are excluded, their enrollment-based ratios are not reliable salary figures.
Top 3 districts
Districts by Estimated Teacher Salary
| District | Est. Avg Salary | Enrollment | Per-Pupil Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beardstown CUSD 15 | $68,233 | 1,433 | $14,548 |
| South Fork SD 14 | $68,211 | 316 | $13,212 |
| Franklin Park SD 84 | $68,160 | 1,269 | $21,479 |
| Bond County CUSD 2 | $68,156 | 1,660 | $19,410 |
| Highland CUSD 5 | $68,154 | 2,839 | $14,551 |
| Canton Union SD 66 | $68,153 | 2,219 | $12,764 |
| Wauconda CUSD 118 | $68,002 | 4,367 | $20,535 |
| Brimfield CUSD 309 | $68,000 | 648 | $15,591 |
| Bradley SD 61 | $67,972 | 1,381 | $16,521 |
| Vienna SD 55 | $67,931 | 386 | $15,228 |
| Salem SD 111 | $67,922 | 940 | $16,049 |
| Mascoutah CUD 19 | $67,914 | 4,190 | $14,621 |
| Monroe SD 70 | $67,833 | 296 | $13,480 |
| Pawnee CUSD 11 | $67,699 | 551 | $17,234 |
| Rockridge CUSD 300 | $67,687 | 1,044 | $13,449 |
| Morris SD 54 | $67,662 | 1,117 | $14,632 |
| Warrensburg-Latham CUSD 11 | $67,650 | 983 | $13,144 |
| Egyptian CUSD 5 | $67,591 | 345 | $20,539 |
| Gillespie CUSD 7 | $67,569 | 1,130 | $16,063 |
| Riverton CUSD 14 | $67,494 | 1,275 | $20,060 |
| Massac UD 1 | $67,457 | 1,852 | $17,744 |
| DePue USD 103 | $67,429 | 339 | $16,304 |
| River Ridge CUSD 210 | $67,400 | 451 | $24,486 |
| Clinton CUSD 15 | $67,392 | 1,706 | $16,838 |
| Breese ESD 12 | $67,352 | 629 | $10,930 |
| Mt Zion CUSD 3 | $67,309 | 2,393 | $12,460 |
| Richland County CUSD 1 | $67,239 | 2,236 | $14,555 |
| La Grange SD 102 | $67,136 | 2,986 | $19,300 |
| Vandalia CUSD 203 | $66,966 | 1,399 | $18,059 |
| Bellwood SD 88 | $66,950 | 2,207 | $22,731 |
| Pennoyer SD 79 | $66,939 | 401 | $20,145 |
| Bureau Valley CUSD 340 | $66,858 | 980 | $18,237 |
| Zeigler-Royalton CUSD 188 | $66,791 | 514 | $17,126 |
| Colona SD 190 | $66,688 | 388 | $14,546 |
| Reed Custer CUSD 255U | $66,531 | 1,352 | $22,542 |
| Lake Villa CCSD 41 | $66,493 | 2,503 | $19,883 |
| Anna CCSD 37 | $66,437 | 586 | $16,415 |
| St Anne CCSD 256 | $66,417 | 290 | $18,548 |
| Olympia CUSD 16 | $66,372 | 1,729 | $19,319 |
| Thornton SD 154 | $66,364 | 243 | $15,148 |
| Gurnee SD 56 | $66,360 | 1,924 | $21,107 |
| Fairmont SD 89 | $66,304 | 345 | $21,064 |
| Elmwood CUSD 322 | $66,264 | 644 | $15,194 |
| Eureka CUD 140 | $66,256 | 1,518 | $14,778 |
| Teutopolis CUSD 50 | $66,245 | 1,074 | $11,007 |
| Pleasant Valley SD 62 | $66,215 | 446 | $24,863 |
| Central City SD 133 | $66,202 | 349 | $12,885 |
| Joliet PSD 86 | $66,142 | 9,872 | $19,736 |
| Selmaville CCSD 10 | $66,000 | 239 | $14,916 |
| Lockport SD 91 | $65,986 | 554 | $17,648 |
| Willow Springs SD 108 | $65,951 | 370 | $22,641 |
| O Fallon CCSD 90 | $65,866 | 3,823 | $12,552 |
| West Lincoln-Broadwell ESD 92 | $65,808 | 216 | $17,292 |
| Crab Orchard CUSD 3 | $65,766 | 486 | $15,053 |
| Atwood Heights SD 125 | $65,679 | 592 | $18,441 |
| Collinsville CUSD 10 | $65,631 | 6,097 | $12,495 |
| Belle Valley SD 119 | $65,600 | 997 | $17,459 |
| Herrin CUSD 4 | $65,547 | 2,361 | $15,143 |
| Orion CUSD 223 | $65,512 | 982 | $14,469 |
| R O W V a CUSD 208 | $65,510 | 629 | $16,324 |
| Princeville CUSD 326 | $65,436 | 679 | $16,745 |
| Jasper County CUD 1 | $65,342 | 1,195 | $12,669 |
| Lebanon CUSD 9 | $65,292 | 514 | $20,556 |
| Tuscola CUSD 301 | $65,284 | 969 | $15,432 |
| Streator ESD 44 | $65,276 | 1,501 | $14,961 |
| Giant City CCSD 130 | $65,238 | 246 | $16,346 |
| Ashton-Franklin Center CUSD 275 | $65,222 | 486 | $15,792 |
| Carmi-White County CUSD 5 | $65,210 | 1,367 | $14,133 |
| North Boone CUSD 200 | $65,197 | 1,532 | $19,193 |
| Chester CUSD 139 | $65,089 | 949 | $14,080 |
| Murphysboro CUSD 186 | $64,980 | 1,914 | $21,508 |
| Oregon CUSD 220 | $64,876 | 1,425 | $23,639 |
| Flora CUSD 35 | $64,828 | 1,313 | $12,401 |
| Pecatonica CUSD 321 | $64,822 | 886 | $18,018 |
| Williamsville CUSD 15 | $64,704 | 1,520 | $35,786 |
| Rock Falls ESD 13 | $64,681 | 875 | $19,073 |
| Smithton CCSD 130 | $64,649 | 561 | $14,016 |
| Steeleville CUSD 138 | $64,613 | 399 | $15,747 |
| Ewing Northern CCSD 115 | $64,588 | 217 | $14,359 |
| Tri Valley CUSD 3 | $64,581 | 1,100 | $15,067 |
| Sunnybrook SD 171 | $64,373 | 988 | $19,067 |
| Henry-Senachwine CUSD 5 | $64,351 | 527 | $16,706 |
| High Mount SD 116 | $64,290 | 351 | $20,407 |
| Schiller Park SD 81 | $64,100 | 1,319 | $33,469 |
| Morrison CUSD 6 | $64,027 | 963 | $16,034 |
| Central CUSD 4 | $63,902 | 970 | $16,475 |
| Carterville CUSD 5 | $63,834 | 2,220 | $11,755 |
| Macomb CUSD 185 | $63,762 | 1,972 | $21,159 |
| Bourbonnais SD 53 | $63,596 | 2,301 | $14,118 |
| Sherrard CUSD 200 | $63,590 | 1,360 | $15,504 |
| Medinah SD 11 | $63,575 | 659 | $20,200 |
| Iroquois County CUSD 9 | $63,544 | 920 | $18,117 |
| Nashville CCSD 49 | $63,538 | 569 | $13,708 |
| Cary CCSD 26 | $63,483 | 2,369 | $17,133 |
| Arbor Park SD 145 | $63,418 | 1,104 | $21,703 |
| Harmony Emge SD 175 | $63,388 | 778 | $16,870 |
| La Salle ESD 122 | $63,362 | 914 | $16,749 |
| Manteno CUSD 5 | $63,325 | 1,910 | $16,424 |
| N Pekin & Marquette Hght SD 102 | $63,303 | 454 | $14,438 |
| Prairie Hill CCSD 133 | $63,255 | 751 | $13,201 |
Showing 401–500 of 757 enrolling districts. Specialized non-enrolling agencies (career/technical centers, county offices, service co-ops) are excluded from the salary ranking, their enrollment-based estimates are not reliable.
Lowest-Paying Districts in Illinois
| District | Est. Avg Salary | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Clay City CUSD 10 | $31,086 | 275 |
| Spoon River Valley CUSD 4 | $34,667 | 255 |
| Stewardson-Strasburg CUD 5A | $37,170 | 408 |
| Northwestern CUSD 2 | $39,784 | 331 |
| Cissna Park CUSD 6 | $39,993 | 261 |
| Williamsfield CUSD 210 | $40,131 | 287 |
| Brownstown CUSD 201 | $41,024 | 405 |
| Donovan CUSD 3 | $41,153 | 274 |
| CUSD 4 | $41,241 | 667 |
| Pearl City CUSD 200 | $42,255 | 425 |
Among enrolling districts (200+ students) with a reliable estimate; service entities excluded, see methodology.
Compare Nearby-Ranked States
Data: NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey + Staff Universe Survey, FY2022. Salary figures divide instructional expenditure (variable Z33) by each district's reported teacher FTE, or an estimated FTE for the small minority with no reported figure. Not individual salary data. Read our methodology.
Illinois teacher salary FAQ
What is the average teacher salary in Illinois?
Across Illinois's 848 public school districts, the average teacher salary is $86,298 (NCES CCD F-33 finance data divided by CCD Staff Universe Survey teacher headcounts, FY2022). This figure is derived from total instructional spending and runs above survey-reported classroom-teacher-only salaries, read it as a relative comparison.
Which Illinois school district pays teachers the most?
Twp HSD 113 reports the highest average teacher salary in Illinois at $162,736, while Clay City CUSD 10 sits at the lower end at $31,086.
How does Illinois teacher pay compare to the national average?
Illinois's average of $86,298 is near the national average of $85,759 (+0.6%), ranking #17 of 51 US states and territories.
How many school districts are in Illinois?
Illinois has 848 public school districts in the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, together serving 1,860,095 students.
Can teachers earn $100,000 in Illinois?
67 of 757 Illinois districts with reliable data report an estimated average teacher salary of $100,000 or more, led by Twp HSD 113 at $162,736. This is a district-wide average, not an individual salary, step, or years-of-experience figure.
How does Illinois rank after adjusting for cost of living?
Adjusted by the BEA's 2022 Regional Price Parity (101.2, US=100), Illinois's purchasing-power-adjusted estimated teacher salary is $85,270, ranking #22 of 51 states and territories, lower than its #17 nominal-salary rank. This is a relative state-level price-level comparison, not take-home pay, taxes, or district/metro cost of living.
Related
According to the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, PlainTeacher's figures are computed directly, no number is typed in by an editor. Illinois's district figures are aggregated directly from each district's FY2022 F-33 submission, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error on this page. Data current as of FY2022.
| Publisher | PlainTeacher |
| Sources | Public official public datasets |