Mississippi consistently ranks as the state with the lowest average teacher salary in the U.S., with figures around $53,704 in 2024, followed closely by states like Florida, Missouri, and West Virginia, while Montana has the lowest starting salary, according to data from sources like the National Education Association (NEA) and World Population Review.
NEA Pay Report Highlights
The highest average teacher salaries are found in California ($101,084), New York ($95,615), and Massachusetts ($92,076). The lowest salaries are in Mississippi ($53,704), Florida ($54,875), and Missouri ($55,132).
Victoria (VIC) generally has the lowest paid public school teachers in Australia, especially at entry-level, with recent reports from the Australian Education Union (AEU) indicating their salaries lag significantly behind other states like NSW, leading to teacher shortages and retention issues, with unions actively campaigning for substantial pay increases.
Across Australia, you'll have a starting salary of between $79,000 and $92,000 as a graduate, depending on your state or territory. An experienced teacher can earn between $111,000 and $131,000. You can find a full breakdown of state/territory-based teacher salaries below.
The Northern Territory has the nation's highest paid teachers where an educator at the top of the scale is expected to earn more than a fourth year doctor, nearly 140, 000.
School teachers: Primary and secondary school teachers in NSW earn between $75,000 and $122,000 annually, depending on their experience and qualifications. Early childhood teachers: Early childhood teachers in NSW see a starting salary of around $85,000 on average.
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is a laid-back city with a subtropical climate and a relaxed lifestyle. Known for its friendly locals and outdoor activities, Brisbane is an ideal destination for TEFL and TESOL teachers seeking a more relaxed pace of life.
Best Paid Teachers in the World
GP salaries in Australia vary significantly but typically range from $200,000 to over $350,000 annually for experienced, full-time doctors, with some rural roles or high-billing practices reaching $400,000+; registrar earnings are lower ($85k-$130k), while locums earn per day ($2k-$3k), influenced by location (rural pays more), billing (private higher), experience, and practice type. Full-time GPs (8+ sessions) average around $345k, while part-timers average $240k.
The highest-paying cities for teachers are Broome & Kimberley ($130k), Gosford & Central Coast ($115k), and Shepparton & Goulburn Valley ($113k). The top-paying states are the Northern Territory ($110k), ACT ($109k), and New South Wales ($106k), offering stronger salaries due to higher demand and regional incentives.
The 70/30 rule in teaching generally means students should be actively engaged (talking, practicing, applying) for 70% of the time, while the teacher provides instruction, feedback, and prompts for the remaining 30%, shifting focus from teacher-led lecturing to student-centered application for better learning and fluency, especially in language learning. It's a guideline to maximize student participation, fostering deeper understanding through practice rather than passive listening.
Highest demand is workshop/technology, maths, physics, chemistry. Lowest demand is primary school generalists in metropolitan areas.
No. AI can't meet legal supervision requirements or provide the relationships and real-time judgment classrooms need. It helps with tasks; teachers lead learning.
New Hampshire Tops the Nation
New Hampshire stands out as the best state for teachers in 2025. The state ranked consistently high across nearly every category, with strong teacher satisfaction, relatively low pupil-to-teacher ratios, and high student safety and engagement.
In 2024, preschool teachers made the least, earning around $52,800 annually. High school teachers made the most at around $64,700 per year. In other words, teachers of the oldest students earned about 22.5% more than those teaching the youngest.
Research studies have indicated that teaching is one of the most stressful occupations (Johnson et al., 2005; Herman et al., 2020; Greenier et al., 2021).
Jobs paying $500k+ in Australia are primarily in highly specialized fields like Medical Specialists (surgeons, anaesthetists), Senior Finance/Executive Roles (CFO, Head of Treasury, Investment Directors), and high-end Sales & Construction Management (Elite Stockbrokers, Senior Project Managers/Estimators in complex sectors). While roles like Neurosurgeon and Ophthalmologist average well over $500k, achieving this in other sectors often involves performance-based bonuses or leading major projects, with opportunities listed on job boards like SEEK and Jora.
A $75k salary in Australia is decent, above the median income for many age groups and allowing for comfortable living in regional areas, but it can be tight in expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne, especially for families, with many feeling $100k is needed for stability, though it's a strong starting point for younger professionals. After tax, $75k becomes roughly $58.6k ($4,888/month), meaning lifestyle, location, and financial goals (like saving for a house) heavily influence whether it's considered "good".
The highest-paid doctors in Australia are typically specialist surgeons, with Neurosurgeons often leading the list, earning well over $500,000 and potentially up to $850,000+ annually, followed closely by Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, and ENT Surgeons, who also command high incomes due to the complexity and demand for their skills, with some consultant surgeons earning over $600,000 in private practice. Other top earners include Anaesthetists and Radiologists.
5 High-Demand Countries Actively Hiring Certified Teachers: What NRIs & Expats Must Know
Teachers at language schools can earn between AED 12,000 and AED 18,000 (USD$3,300 – $5,000) a month. Private international schools pay between AED 9,000 and AED 15,000 ($2,400 – $4,000) a month. Public schools offer salaries of between AED 12,000 and AED 20,000 ($3,300 – $5,500) a month.
Key Facts: Teacher Salaries by State
Hobart, Tasmania, is widely recognized as the cheapest major city, but smaller regional towns in Queensland and South Australia can offer even lower living costs.
Is it cheaper to live in Australia or America? It depends on where you're comparing. Major U.S. cities like New York or San Francisco are typically more expensive than Sydney or Melbourne, but overall living costs—especially groceries and housing—can be higher in Australia due to import prices and taxes.
If you no longer wish to teach in NSW you can apply to voluntarily cancel your accreditation. If you wish to take a break of less than 5 years you should instead apply for a Leave of Absence.