New Jersey Teacher Salaries Rank Among Highest in U.S., New Report Shows
Teachers across New Jersey continue to earn some of the strongest salaries in the country, according to newly released national education data that highlights the state’s position among the top-paying places for educators in America.
A new report from the National Education Association found that the average teacher salary in New Jersey reached $84,974 during the 2024–25 school year. That places the Garden State ninth nationwide for overall teacher pay, showing that New Jersey remains one of the leading states when it comes to educator compensation.
The national average salary for teachers during the same school year was reported at $74,495. The data shows that teacher pay across the country increased by around 3.5% compared with the previous year, although education leaders say many teachers are still struggling with rising living costs and inflation.
New Jersey also stood out for starting teacher salaries. According to the report, educators beginning their careers in the state earned an average starting salary of $58,727 during the 2024–25 school year. That figure ranked fourth highest in the nation and was roughly $10,000 above the national average starting salary of $48,112.
The findings add to ongoing conversations in New Jersey about teacher recruitment, school staffing, and long-term retention in public education. Education advocates have argued for years that competitive salaries are important for attracting qualified teachers and keeping experienced educators in classrooms.
The New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, has repeatedly pushed for a statewide minimum starting salary of $60,000 for teachers. Supporters of the proposal say higher entry-level pay would help younger educators manage housing costs, student loan debt, and other financial pressures that come with entering the profession.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle said teacher salaries in many parts of the country still fail to reflect the value educators bring to students and communities. She said teachers deserve compensation that matches their expertise and the role they play in shaping the nation’s future.
While New Jersey ranked inside the national top 10, California remained the highest-paying state for teachers in the country. The report showed that teachers in California earned an average salary of $103,552 during the 2024–25 school year, making it the only state where the average educator salary crossed six figures.
New York followed closely behind with an average teacher salary of $98,655. Washington, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Oregon also ranked ahead of or near New Jersey on the national list.
The report did not include details about average years of teaching experience in each state, making it unclear how experience levels may have affected salary comparisons nationwide. Still, the data reflects the continued gap between higher-paying states and regions where teacher salaries remain significantly lower.
Education experts often point to salary levels as one of the key factors influencing teacher shortages nationwide. States offering stronger pay and benefits are generally seen as more competitive in attracting educators, especially as schools across the country continue working to fill classroom positions.
For many New Jersey educators, the latest figures reinforce the state’s reputation as one of the better-paying education systems in the United States, even as debates continue over school funding, classroom resources, and the future of public education.
Sources:
- National Education Association (NEA)
- New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)
