PlainTeacher

Interactive tool

Teacher Salary Estimator by State

According to NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 FY2023, select your state to see the estimated average teacher salary, national salary rank, and how it compares to your state's nearest-paying peers.

49
States ranked
$71,072
National avg (est.)
FY2023
Data vintage

Estimated avg teacher salary - Washington

$88,556

District median: $87,059 · avg is $1,497 above median

FY2023 · NCES CCD F-33 · Average estimate

#6

of 49 states

Washington: $88,556 National avg: $71,072

Washington pays $17,484 above the national average

Nearest-paying peer states

#4
New York

+$1,204 above Washington

$89,760
#5
Rhode Island

+$1,118 above Washington

$89,674
#7
New Hampshire

-$679 below Washington

$87,877
#8
Connecticut

-$2,541 below Washington

$86,015

Peers ranked by proximity to Washington on the national salary scale (district-mean basis, NCES F-33 FY2023).

What this number means: The salary shown is the average of estimated district-level teacher salaries in Washington, derived from the NCES CCD F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey (FY2023). It represents instructional salary expenditure divided by teacher FTE across districts reporting reliable figures, normally the reported CCD Staff Universe count (avg salary $30K–$200K, enrollment ≥ 200). This is a statistical estimate, not a minimum, maximum, or contracted salary, and individual teacher pay varies substantially by district, experience, and degree level.

How this estimator works

Select your state from the dropdown and click "See my salary." The estimator looks up the average of estimated teacher salaries across every reliable public school district in that state, then shows your state's salary alongside its national rank and the four nearest-paying peer states so you can immediately see where you stand on the national scale.

All salary figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, Fiscal Year 2023. The calculation uses each district's total instructional salary expenditure divided by its reported teacher headcount (with enrollment-based estimation for the minority of districts with no headcount). Results are weighted by enrollment so large districts count proportionately, the same methodology used on this site's state salary rankings pages.

Salary estimator FAQ

What does this salary figure represent?

The figure is the average of estimated district-level teacher salaries within the state, computed from NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) F-33 FY2023 data. It reflects reported teacher salary expenditure (items Z35-Z38) divided by reported teacher FTE across reliable reporting districts (salary between $30K–$200K, enrollment ≥ 200). It is a statistical estimate, not an offer or contract salary.

Why does this differ from official state-reported averages?

PlainTeacher uses a bottom-up calculation from district F-33 filings rather than state-reported averages, which can include service agencies and non-standard districts that inflate reported figures. This approach prioritizes reliability over simple averaging.

What does the state rank mean?

The rank compares the state's average against the 49 states and territories that report teacher salary data in the NCES FY2023 F-33 survey. #1 is highest-paying. Alaska, Illinois and Utah file no teacher-salary breakout and are not ranked.

What are the peer states?

The four peer states shown are the states immediately above and below the selected state in the national salary ranking. They help you see where your state sits relative to its nearest neighbors on the pay ladder.

How current is the data?

Data is from the NCES Common Core of Data F-33 Local Education Agency Finance Survey, Fiscal Year 2023 (released as provisional v1a). Salaries may have changed since then.

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. Every salary estimate is computed live from district-level FY2023 F-33 data, averaged across reliable districts. 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 FY2023.