With World Teachers’ Day around the corner and teachers making an average of 5% less per year than they did 10 years ago after adjusting for inflation, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States for Teachers in 2024, as well as expert commentary, in order to help educators find places to work with good teaching environments and above-average compensation.
WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio to public-school spending per student.
Teacher-Friendliness of New York (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- Overall rank for New York: 1st
- 17th – Avg. Starting Salary for Teachers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
- 1st – Avg. Salary for Teachers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
- 8th – Quality of School System
- 6th – Pupil-Teacher Ratio
- 1st – Public-School Spending per Student
- 8th – Teachers’ Income Growth Potential
- 1st – Existence of Digital Learning Plan
Expert Commentary
What are the biggest issues teachers face today?
“The teaching profession has become increasingly complex and challenging, with incrementally more responsibilities being added to the plates of teachers over time, this is despite teachers being continuously underpaid relative to their similarly educated peers. Many of the ever-evolving advances and issues in broader society get reflected in the classroom. Take for example, the extreme polarization and politicization of numerous topics that become points of conflict with parents and the government in schools – these include but are not limited to reactions to books and courses being banned, mask mandates during the pandemic, remote digital learning, etc. When teachers receive weak support from their school employers and the community, the incentive for them to leave their roles intensifies. This is especially the case when other competing professions may offer less stress, more resources and better pay.”
Henry Tran, MPA, SHRM-CP, PHR, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
“Teachers today face numerous significant challenges in their profession. Teachers have felt higher levels of stress and burnout, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Student mental health concerns and support are arguably more prominent than ever before. Managing classroom environments and fostering positive conditions for learning has become increasingly more difficult. The lack of school resources, the need for stronger parental engagement, and keeping up with technological advances are additional pressure points for teachers. However, I believe there are opportunities for school and district leaders, policymakers, and community leaders to come together to develop and sustain an infrastructure of support for teachers that puts them in the best position to address the stresses of the profession while providing effective teaching and student support.”
Everrett A. Smith, Ph.D. – Associate Professor; Coordinator, UEL Doctoral Program, University of Cincinnati
How can local officials attract and retain the best teachers?
“Some of the best ways to attract and retain teachers include providing a highly supportive work environment, ample professional development, offering competitive salaries, providing senior mentors for new teachers, and classroom resources so that teachers can concentrate on teaching rather than scrounging for materials. Children are one of our nation’s most valuable assets, and those who teach our children should be treated similarly.”
Marybeth Gasman, Ph.D. – Chair in Education; University Distinguished Professor, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Education
“The most important factor for recruiting and retaining the best teachers to any schools is that school employers practice talent-centered employee management practices by ensuring that their schools are ‘great places to work’ and that active communication of this is signaled to prospective teachers for the schools. What I mean by ‘great places to work’ is that schools should be supportive work environments, where teachers want to come to work. At the baseline, this means an attractive compensation package, but it also means workplaces where teachers are provided the resources, agency and authority to perform their work to the best of their abilities and are buffered from distractions that would stray their focus and attention. A talent-centered workplace is a place with clear communication and transparency in decision-making, and a safe work environment where teachers are given feedback to improve and are recognized for their accomplishments and successes. At the government and community level, support can look like the removal of barriers and unnecessary intrusion (e.g., micromanagement) for teachers to exercise their professional judgment for effective teaching, and provision of support in areas such as resources and capacity development.”
Henry Tran, MPA, SHRM-CP, PHR, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
What tips can you offer young teachers looking for a place to settle down?
“I would suggest doing a lot of research and homework on the school and community to ensure that teachers are happy, supported, and have some sense of work-life balance. I would seek out professional opportunities and places that offer long-term growth in the position. Given that teachers' salaries are not up to par, it is important to find a community with a reasonable cost of living.”
Marybeth Gasman, Ph.D. – Chair in Education; University Distinguished Professor, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Education
“Teachers looking for a place to settle down should consider their own needs concerning what attracts them to a specific locale and be careful not to place too much weight on just the nominal entry level salary amount. For example, some districts may offer higher salaries but may have high cost of living which results in less money left over for groceries and other expenses. Amenity wise, some people are attracted to the hustle and bustle of big city life, while others enjoy the peace and quiet of rural communities. Teachers looking for a place to settle down should think about their own needs and wants, and consider how the different locales can best help complement those.”
Henry Tran, MPA, SHRM-CP, PHR, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, University of South Carolina