Best and worst states for teachers

WalletHub - Teaching is one of the most rewarding careers, with educators playing a vital role in shaping future generations. Yet despite their impact, many teachers are overworked and underpaid. Education remains one of the lowest-paying occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree, and teacher salaries have not kept pace with inflation. Adjusted for inflation, on average, teachers are making 5% less than they did 10 years ago.

Compensation and working conditions vary widely across the country, with some states offering far stronger support for educators than others. States that invest in their teachers are also more likely to retain experienced educators and reduce turnover. To identify the best places to teach, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key measures of teacher-friendliness, including income growth potential, pupil-teacher ratios, and public-school spending per student.

Key Facts

The best states for teachers in 2026 are Washington, New York, Virginia, Illinois and Utah.

The worst states for teachers in 2026 are New Mexico, Maine, Montana, Hawaii and New Hampshire.

Important factors determining the best states for teachers include compensation, tenure protections, state spending per student, school-system quality and turnover rates.