In the United States, the average teacher salary for the 2023-2024 academic year was around $72,030 according to the National Education Association. This figure varies across states and undergoes slight annual fluctuations. Georgia ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to teacher compensation, yet its averages fall below national benchmarks in several categories.

States like California lead in overall teacher remuneration, while others such as Mississippi report the lowest salaries. Understanding these disparities helps shed light on regional differences in education funding and professional opportunities within the teaching field.

Georgia's Educational Compensation Landscape

Georgia’s educational pay scale places it at a moderate level among U.S. states. Teachers in Georgia earn an average salary of $67,641 annually, ranking 23rd nationwide. Meanwhile, starting teachers receive approximately $43,654, placing the state 35th in this category. Higher education faculty members are compensated with an average salary of $95,190, ranking 31st, whereas K-12 education support professionals (ESPs) earn about $31,472 annually, putting Georgia 38th in this area. Higher education ESPs fare even worse, ranking 44th with an average income of $41,096.

When compared to national averages, Georgia lags behind in all categories. The state's average teacher salary is nearly $4,389 less than the national mean. Starting teacher pay is roughly $2,872 lower, higher education faculty compensation trails by approximately $9,159, K-12 ESP wages are about $3,482 below the norm, and higher education ESP earnings are $4,566 under the national average. These discrepancies highlight areas where Georgia could enhance its investment in education personnel.

Top and Bottom Performers in Teacher Compensation

Several states stand out both positively and negatively in terms of teacher compensation. California boasts the highest average teacher salary at $101,084, along with leading higher education faculty wages at $133,447. Washington, D.C., claims the top spot for initial teacher salaries at $63,373. Rhode Island provides the best average pay for K-12 ESPs at $42,940, while Connecticut leads in higher education ESP compensation at $54,653.

On the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi records the lowest average teacher salaries at $53,704 and the least for higher education faculty at $78,015. Montana holds the dubious distinction of offering the lowest starting teacher wages at $35,674. Oklahoma ranks last in K-12 ESP pay with $27,656, and South Dakota follows suit with the lowest higher education ESP salaries at $35,815. These variations underscore significant economic and policy challenges facing educators across different regions of the country.