How Does Minnesota Compare To Other States For Teachers Pay?

Hail Hail Summertime! It’s so nice that the weather is warmer, and folks around Central Minnesota are going outside to enjoy the opportunity to get outside. 

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Kids are happier, too. There’s no school and most of them are in some form or another, living their best lives. Most teachers are happier as well. They’re getting a break, even if they’re working on the upcoming school year. This time of year, it is not like the normal grind when school is in session. 

On the topic of teachers, I was curious about how teacher pay ranks in Minnesota compared to other states around the country. It turns out it could be worse. A lot worse.  

According to the National Education Association (NEA), Minnesota ranks 15th in the country in teacher pay.  

The average starting pay for a new teacher in the United States is $46,526 and the average overall pay for teachers around the country is $72,030.  

In Minnesota the average pay is $72,430 while the starting pay is around $44,995, which comes in 28th. So, pretty close to the national average. But how does what Minnesota pays it’s teachers compare to neighboring states? 

Wisconsin is 27th in the nation with the average teaching salary coming in at $65,762 while new teachers in Wisconsin make around $42,259. 

In Iowa new teachers there start out at $40,997 which is 46th in the country. The average teaching salary in Wisconsin is $62,399 which ranks 32nd.  

South Dakota teachers make overall a lot less than Minnesota, $56,328, which ranks 46th. New educators in South Dakota make $45,530 which is higher than other states in the upper Mid-West and ranks 25th. 

In North Dakota, the teachers there earn an average of $58,581 which comes in 40th in the country. Teachers who are just starting out in North Dakota make around $43,4734. That figure is 34th in the country. 

So, you can see that when I said the overall salary for teachers in Minnesota could be a lot worse, the states that are on our border are proof.  

California teachers make the most in the country; the average salary is over $101,000 per year. The new teachers in California make $58,409. 

New York's average teacher pay comes in 2nd in the country at $95,615 and new teachers there start our making around $50,000.