PlainTeacher

State profile · NCES F-33 FY2023

Teacher Salary in Missouri

Missouri sits in the lowest third of reporting jurisdictions at $52,299 (#43 of 49). According to the NCES Common Core of Data finance survey, estimated teacher pay and per-pupil spending are available for every public school district in Missouri.

$52,299
Est. state avg salary

Well below benchmark

-25.5%
vs national
#43
National rank
514
Districts

Keep this state in your shortlist

Save it in this browser, then return when PlainTeacher adds a newer public-data release. No account or personal details required.

View saved

$52,299/year (est.)

Missouri sits in the lowest third of reporting jurisdictions at $52,299 (#43 of 49). Estimated average teacher salary is $52,299, materially below the national average of $70,245, ranking #43 of 49, across 406 public school districts with reliable data (NCES CCD F-33, FY2023).

  • Lower-third estimated pay: Missouri sits in the lowest third of reporting jurisdictions at $52,299 (#43 of 49).
  • lower third nationally (#43 of 49)
  • Missouri ranks #43 of 49 on the salary estimate and #18 of 49 on enrollment in the same reliable-district pool.
  • $55,989 spread between its highest- and lowest-paying districts
  • -25.5% vs the national average
  • +14.3% estimated-basis panel FY2019→FY2023 (balanced cohort, not the FTE average above)
  • #39 of 49 purchasing-power-adjusted (BEA RPP 91.1)

Missouri sits in the lower third for estimated pay

Across 406 reliable-salary districts, the average estimate is $52,299: #43 of 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate, and 25.5% below the national benchmark of $70,245.

The rank compares the same F-33-derived district measure nationwide. It does not include benefits, experience steps, taxes, or local living costs; use it as a relative state placement rather than an exact paycheck.

Missouri purchasing-power check on lower-third pay

Missouri's nominal average teacher salary ranks #43 of the 49 states and territories that report teacher salaries. Adjusted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2023 Regional Price Parity (91.1, US = 100, a relative state-level price-level index, not a district or metro cost-of-living figure), the estimate becomes $65,183, ranking #39 of 49 , 4 places higher 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. BEA Regional Price Parities · NCES CCD F-33

Missouri in the teacher-salary distribution

FY2023 estimated state averages from the same NCES-derived ranking

$52,299 12th percentile higher than 12% of 49 reporting states and territories

Show national distribution $0–$5,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $5,000–$10,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $10,000–$15,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $15,000–$20,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$25,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$30,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $30,000–$35,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $35,000–$40,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $40,000–$45,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Below this entry. $45,000–$50,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Below this entry. $50,000–$55,000: 6 reporting states and territories (12%). This entry sits in this band. $55,000–$60,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $60,000–$65,000: 9 reporting states and territories (18%). Above this entry. $65,000–$70,000: 7 reporting states and territories (14%). Above this entry. $70,000–$75,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Above this entry. $75,000–$80,000: 4 reporting states and territories (8%). Above this entry. $80,000–$85,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $85,000–$90,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $90,000–$95,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $95,000–$100,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $100,000–$105,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $105,000–$110,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $110,000–$115,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $115,000–$120,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $120,000–$125,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. Missouri $0 $125,000 reporting state salary estimates, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more reporting states and territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey; state estimates derived from reported instructional-salary expenditure and teacher FTE · FY2023

Missouri's comparable salary trend

Same reporting-district cohort, FY2019-FY2023

FY2023 estimated average
$66,220 14.341686712622673% vs FY2019
494 districts held in the panel
$55,000$60,000$65,000$70,000 FY2019FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023 Missouri est. avg teacher salary, FY2019: $57,914Missouri est. avg teacher salary, FY2020: $58,750Missouri est. avg teacher salary, FY2021: $62,359Missouri est. avg teacher salary, FY2022: $63,534Missouri est. avg teacher salary, FY2023: $66,220 $57,914 $66,220 ▲ +14.3%
Read the chart as text
Period Missouri est. avg teacher salary
FY2019 $57,914
FY2020 $58,750
FY2021 $62,359
FY2022 $63,534
FY2023 $66,220

Highest-paying districts in Missouri

Estimated average teacher salary, enrolling districts (200+ students)

Est. avg salary

What this shows Clayton leads Missouri on the F-33 instructional-salary estimate. Service entities (CTCs, county offices) are excluded, their enrollment-based ratios are not reliable salary figures.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, FY2023 As of FY2023

Top 3 districts

1 $94,417

Clayton

Est. avg teacher salary
2 $83,373

Kirkwood R-vii

Est. avg teacher salary
3 $79,768

Pattonville R-iii

Est. avg teacher salary

Districts by Estimated Teacher Salary

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment Per-Pupil Exp
Carl Junction R-i $55,070 3,443 $11,771
Lebanon R-iii $54,919 4,480 $14,295
Scotland Co. R-i $54,900 547 $15,073
Marionville R-ix $54,897 744 $11,720
Branson R-iv $54,875 4,560 $13,881
Poplar Bluff R-i $54,859 5,204 $12,831
Washington $54,853 3,720 $16,819
Reeds Spring R-iv $54,721 1,807 $25,329
Jefferson Co. R-vii $54,673 1,108 $13,287
Brunswick R-ii $54,629 269 $19,167
St. James R-i $54,606 1,666 $14,627
Ozark R-vi $54,579 6,052 $14,347
East Buchanan Co. C-1 $54,525 723 $13,436
Riverview Gardens $54,505 5,336 $14,075
Mcdonald Co. R-i $54,479 3,522 $12,836
Eldon R-i $54,475 1,998 $12,491
Bowling Green R-i $54,376 1,331 $16,231
Dunklin R-v $54,375 1,585 $14,934
Savannah R-iii $54,266 2,332 $11,216
St. Clair R-xiii $54,228 2,230 $15,165
Nixa Public Schools $54,210 6,724 $12,098
Mound City R-ii $54,181 276 $18,207
Clark Co. R-i $54,063 1,136 $11,965
Odessa R-vii $54,062 2,041 $13,842
Dallas Co. R-i $53,993 1,782 $13,479
Hardin-central C-2 $53,907 229 $20,266
Blair Oaks R-ii $53,899 1,194 $12,539
Webb City R-vii $53,819 4,621 $13,884
Pierce City R-vi $53,781 679 $11,732
Farmington R-vii $53,760 3,925 $11,526
Howell Valley R-i $53,687 224 $21,183
Blue Eye R-v $53,424 546 $17,436
Republic R-iii $53,403 5,316 $14,077
Iberia R-v $53,375 672 $12,251
Clinton Co. R-iii $53,360 665 $14,358
Excelsior Springs 40 $53,249 2,687 $15,356
Spring Bluff R-xv $53,211 214 $17,285
Cameron R-i $53,196 1,651 $14,665
Strafford R-vi $53,152 1,412 $14,643
Willard R-ii $53,131 4,732 $12,636
Jackson R-ii $53,120 5,713 $11,200
Richards R-v $53,111 372 $16,960
Neosho School District $53,100 4,897 $14,202
Lexington R-v $53,038 997 $13,654
North St. Francois Co. R-i $52,948 2,757 $13,651
Boonville R-i $52,873 1,584 $13,961
Clever R-v $52,851 1,337 $10,941
King City R-i $52,839 356 $15,275
Osage Co. R-iii $52,741 758 $13,195
Bismarck R-v $52,686 504 $12,427
Fordland R-iii $52,633 610 $20,744
East Newton Co. R-vi $52,622 1,451 $10,917
Norwood R-i $52,616 327 $14,997
Cabool R-iv $52,613 769 $13,960
Johnson Co. R-vii $52,584 535 $14,198
Osceola $52,532 553 $13,119
Harrisburg R-viii $52,528 613 $13,054
Hickory Co. R-i $52,527 727 $15,261
Winona R-iii $52,452 441 $14,961
Dexter R-xi $52,398 2,039 $11,567
Mansfield R-iv $52,393 594 $14,162
St. Elizabeth R-iv $52,254 269 $11,476
Dent-phelps R-iii $52,240 273 $16,546
Lakeland R-iii $52,222 413 $25,426
West St. Francois Co. R-iv $52,175 959 $12,876
Nevada R-v $52,163 2,377 $16,802
Laclede Co. C-5 $52,062 500 $13,054
Marshall $51,918 2,420 $12,830
Willow Springs R-iv $51,891 1,281 $12,432
New Madrid Co. R-i $51,829 1,354 $19,168
South Pemiscot Co. R-v $51,754 604 $13,343
Valley R-vi $51,707 348 $16,193
Joplin Schools $51,702 7,694 $13,758
Hickman Mills C-1 $51,687 5,121 $20,011
Marshfield R-i $51,674 3,113 $12,018
Cooter R-iv $51,653 209 $13,177
Polo R-vii $51,641 405 $15,553
Jefferson City $51,632 8,683 $14,524
Rock Port R-ii $51,616 355 $14,885
Licking R-viii $51,549 839 $11,820
Oran R-iii $51,532 330 $11,630
Sullivan $51,531 2,114 $12,203
Seneca R-vii $51,525 1,535 $12,277
Kirksville R-iii $51,465 2,506 $14,692
Moniteau Co. R-i $51,453 1,361 $12,231
Grain Valley R-v $51,423 4,506 $13,873
Lone Jack C-6 $51,372 750 $11,579
Sunrise R-ix $51,368 333 $16,892
Shelby Co. R-iv $51,346 693 $18,856
El Dorado Springs R-ii $51,274 1,172 $12,908
Centralia R-vi $51,269 1,330 $14,895
Miller R-ii $51,239 588 $12,371
Holden R-iii $51,224 1,231 $16,686
Ava R-i $51,182 1,385 $11,386
Green City R-i $51,149 268 $15,948
Princeton R-v $51,111 364 $16,569
Aurora R-viii $51,008 1,888 $11,888
Appleton City R-ii $51,003 307 $15,638
Morgan Co. R-ii $50,985 1,293 $12,904
Greenville R-ii $50,934 683 $13,745

Showing 101–200 of 406 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 Missouri

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment
Lincoln R-ii $38,429 513
Climax Springs R-iv $38,980 222
Humansville R-iv $39,721 368
North Wood R-iv $39,763 215
Naylor R-ii $39,918 379
Twin Rivers R-x $40,269 827
Laquey R-v $40,397 788
Atlanta C-3 $40,727 203
Grandview R-ii $40,849 2,387
Doniphan R-i $40,856 1,558

Among enrolling districts (200+ students) with a reliable estimate; service entities excluded, see methodology.

Nationwide peers near Missouri's lower-third pay

Two nationwide peer sets for Missouri: closest on estimated average teacher salary ($52,299 here) and closest on total student enrollment (865,636 here). Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not geographic containment.

Similar estimated salary

Nearest other states by unweighted district-mean teacher pay (F-33 derived, ≥5 districts with reliable estimates).

Similar enrollment

Nearest other states by NCES-reported K-12 enrollment. Salary peers above are excluded.

Compare Nearby-Ranked States

Kentucky
$56,482
Rank #40
West Virginia
$53,845
Rank #41
Indiana
$52,427
Rank #42
Texas
$51,478
Rank #44

Data: NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey + Staff Universe Survey, FY2023. 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.

Missouri teacher salary FAQ

What is the average teacher salary in Missouri?

Across 406 Missouri public school districts with reliable data, the average teacher salary is $52,299 (NCES CCD F-33 reported teacher salaries divided by CCD Staff Universe Survey teacher headcounts, FY2023). It is a district-level mean derived from finance filings, so it will not match a contract-salary survey exactly, read it as a relative comparison.

Which Missouri school district pays teachers the most?

Clayton reports the highest average teacher salary in Missouri at $94,417, while Lincoln R-ii sits at the lower end at $38,429.

How does Missouri teacher pay compare to the national average?

Missouri's average of $52,299 is materially below the national average of $70,245 (-25.5%), ranking #43 of the 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate.

How many school districts are in Missouri?

Missouri has 514 public school districts in the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, together serving 865,636 students.

How much do teachers make in Missouri?

District-average teacher pay in Missouri sits in a comparatively narrow band, from $38,429 in Lincoln R-ii to $94,417 in Clayton. With that little district-to-district spread the statewide figure is a reasonable guide to what most districts pay. These are district-wide averages from NCES CCD F-33 (FY2023), not individual salaries or pay-scale steps.

Can teachers earn $100,000 in Missouri?

No Missouri district with reliable data reports an estimated average teacher salary at or above $100,000; the state's highest is Clayton at $94,417. This is a district-wide average, not an individual salary, step, or years-of-experience figure.

How does Missouri rank after adjusting for cost of living?

Within the separate enrollment-weighted state comparison, BEA's 2023 Regional Price Parity (91.1, US=100) adjusts Missouri's nominal estimate of $59,384 from #40 to $65,183 and #39. The headline uses an unweighted district mean, so this does not replace it. Neither measure is take-home pay, taxes, or district/metro cost of living.

Explore Missouri

Disclaimer & data sources

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTeacher for Missouri