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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

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$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
Santa Fe R-x $50,908 334 $16,931
Morgan Co. R-i $50,897 830 $12,190
Crystal City 47 $50,764 542 $11,970
Scott Co. R-iv $50,687 923 $16,085
Knox Co. R-i $50,622 491 $21,090
Canton R-v $50,620 494 $14,870
Sarcoxie R-ii $50,600 686 $14,480
Mountain Grove R-iii $50,594 1,611 $11,212
Billings R-iv $50,581 416 $11,656
Nodaway-holt R-vii $50,498 205 $16,444
Arcadia Valley R-ii $50,474 1,006 $14,269
Lewis Co. C-1 $50,457 914 $11,977
Ash Grove R-iv $50,431 732 $13,219
Maryville R-ii $50,388 1,386 $14,778
Nell Holcomb R-iv $50,357 244 $19,221
Sweet Springs R-vii $50,256 402 $15,552
Warren Co. R-iii $50,123 3,085 $12,759
Westran R-i $50,112 610 $15,974
Moberly $50,051 2,170 $16,615
Drexel R-iv $50,035 290 $15,555
Diamond R-iv $50,009 763 $16,354
Fredericktown R-i $49,993 1,902 $12,097
Schuyler Co. R-i $49,982 596 $17,955
Otterville R-vi $49,929 212 $15,679
Orrick R-xi $49,928 291 $15,729
North Andrew Co. R-vi $49,927 300 $15,703
Milan C-2 $49,801 653 $14,567
Braymer C-4 $49,685 251 $16,112
Sedalia 200 $49,656 5,042 $11,289
North Shelby $49,554 319 $15,451
Hollister R-v $49,515 1,348 $15,635
Seymour R-ii $49,493 715 $22,508
Monroe City R-i $49,486 764 $15,876
Hartville R-ii $49,455 682 $16,941
Archie R-v $49,395 516 $14,089
Montgomery Co. R-ii $49,382 1,147 $14,786
Southwest R-v $49,326 828 $15,696
Newburg R-ii $49,212 402 $14,567
Paris R-ii $49,212 461 $16,967
Sherwood Cass R-viii $49,210 799 $13,193
Warsaw R-ix $49,178 1,320 $12,958
Ralls Co. R-ii $49,062 834 $13,761
Perry Co. 32 $49,052 2,144 $15,519
Greenfield R-iv $49,031 349 $23,719
Crane R-iii $49,011 555 $12,277
Trenton R-ix $48,943 1,105 $12,857
Hallsville R-iv $48,938 1,510 $11,197
Advance R-iv $48,912 420 $13,205
Palmyra R-i $48,900 1,156 $12,176
Albany R-iii $48,897 451 $13,404
Concordia R-ii $48,857 467 $13,664
Gideon 37 $48,843 215 $21,386
Adrian R-iii $48,836 730 $11,118
East Carter Co. R-ii $48,830 652 $14,954
Warrensburg R-vi $48,818 3,385 $13,429
Richmond R-xvi $48,786 1,559 $12,109
Bakersfield R-iv $48,771 397 $13,368
Tarkio R-i $48,765 335 $21,260
Henry Co. R-i $48,760 703 $15,055
Gasconade Co. R-i $48,694 865 $14,261
Marion C. Early R-v $48,654 566 $11,705
Cape Girardeau 63 $48,611 4,380 $15,798
Elsberry R-ii $48,550 814 $14,053
Campbell R-ii $48,537 554 $11,477
Lonedell R-14 $48,534 334 $17,617
Charleston R-i $48,432 772 $17,633
Wellington-napoleon R-ix $48,430 382 $14,487
South Callaway Co. R-ii $48,387 752 $15,734
Holcomb R-iii $48,352 435 $13,391
West Plains R-vii $48,297 2,698 $13,719
Kennett 39 $48,291 1,864 $13,448
Woodland R-iv $48,283 856 $14,463
Glenwood R-viii $48,282 236 $17,831
Gasconade Co. R-ii $48,253 1,779 $11,648
Halfway R-iii $48,173 272 $13,816
Hermitage R-iv $48,154 269 $25,097
Stockton R-i $48,126 972 $14,947
West Nodaway Co. R-i $48,098 227 $13,960
Wheaton R-iii $48,072 431 $18,376
Clearwater R-i $47,918 916 $12,513
Alton R-iv $47,880 619 $14,464
Louisiana R-ii $47,827 721 $11,288
Malden R-i $47,809 879 $14,513
New Haven $47,771 502 $12,532
Rich Hill R-iv $47,732 358 $12,637
Gainesville R-v $47,698 654 $14,677
Meadow Heights R-ii $47,675 498 $11,392
Southern Boone Co. R-i $47,633 2,006 $16,301
Hamilton R-ii $47,617 641 $21,448
North Callaway Co. R-i $47,601 1,013 $13,851
Stewartsville C-2 $47,583 262 $12,893
Gallatin R-v $47,574 548 $14,055
Kingston K-14 $47,537 833 $13,836
Fulton 58 $47,522 2,246 $17,538
Fairview R-xi $47,512 519 $13,682
Macks Creek R-v $47,459 339 $12,274
Pike Co. R-iii $47,455 445 $16,654
Cole Camp R-i $47,408 756 $11,123
Van Buren R-i $47,386 516 $14,760
Iron Co. C-4 $47,372 338 $13,527

Showing 201–300 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