Peggy G. Carr, President of the National Center for Education Statistics | National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Teacher salaries have not measurably changed over the past decade, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which released new data indicating stagnant earnings despite rising living costs.
The report by NCES analyzed national teacher salary trends. The findings come as debates over educator pay continue across the country, with advocates pushing for raises to address inflation and teacher shortages.
In the 2022–23 academic year, the average public school teacher salary in the United States increased by 4.2% from the previous year, reaching $69,597. Despite this nominal increase, when adjusted for inflation, teachers are earning approximately 5% less than they did a decade ago. This decline in real wages contributes to ongoing concerns about teacher compensation and its impact on the profession, according to the National Education Association.
A 2023 RAND Corporation study found that teachers worked an average of 53 hours per week during the 2022–23 school year, compared to 46 hours for other working adults. On average, teachers reported working 15 hours per week longer than required by contract, with one out of every four hours worked being uncompensated. Only 24% of teachers expressed satisfaction with their total weekly working hours, highlighting concerns about workload and work-life balance.
According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 44% of K–12 teachers in the United States reported feeling burned out "very often" or "always," making them the most burned-out profession in the country. This rate is 14% higher than the burnout rate reported by workers in other industries. Factors contributing to this high burnout rate include increased workloads, insufficient compensation, and challenges related to student behavior.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity responsible for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States. Operating under the U.S. Department of Education, NCES conducts surveys and publishes reports to inform education policy and practice. Its work includes the National Teacher and Principal Survey, which provides comprehensive data on teacher demographics, salaries, and working conditions.
The following table presents data on teacher salaries based on years of teaching experience:
| Years of teaching experience | Dollars |
| Total | $61,600 (200) |
| 1 year or less | $45,900 (440) |
| 2 to 4 years | $49,300 (270) |
| 5 to 9 years | $54,000 (230) |
| 10 to 14 years | $59,800 (290) |
| 15 to 19 years | $66,300 (350) |
| 20 to 24 years | $71,800 (410) |
| 25 to 29 years | $72,700 (540) |
| 30 or more years | $72,000 (670) |
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