Teacher salaries vary significantly depending on the country, region, level of experience, and type of school.
United States
- The average annual salary for a teacher in the U.S. is about $26,193, though this varies widely by state and city. For example, teachers in New York City earn around $54,084, while those in Chicago earn about $31,650 annually
- Elementary (primary) school teachers earn on average $48,094 per year, while high school (secondary) teachers earn about $51,363 per year
- According to the National Education Association (NEA) 2025 data, average teacher salaries range from about $44,610 starting in Alabama to over $58,409 starting in California, with average salaries in California reaching $101,084, the highest in the nation
- Teachers may also receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and professional development support
United Kingdom (England)
- Starting salaries for qualified teachers are at least £31,650 outside London, with higher starting pay in London areas (up to £38,766 in Inner London).
- After 5 years, a typical teacher could earn at least £43,607, with maximum salaries reaching £60,092 in Inner London.
- Additional payments for extra responsibilities or special roles can add up to £16,553 on top of the base salary
- Early career teachers may start with salaries between £18,000 and £20,000, rising to around £38,000 with experience
Germany
- Starting salaries for teachers in Germany (Grade A13) average around €3,861 per month, rising to about €4,658 after 20 years of service
- The net monthly salary for teachers is estimated to be between €3,000 and €5,000 depending on experience and location
In summary, teacher pay depends heavily on location and experience. In the U.S., average salaries range roughly from $26,000 to over $100,000 annually, in the UK from about £31,000 to £60,000, and in Germany from about €3,800 to €4,600 per month after many years of work. Additional allowances and benefits may also significantly affect total compensation.
