States Where Teachers Are Paid the Most and Least

Source: Thinkstock

26. Georgia
> Median salary, school teachers: $55,421
> Median salary, all workers: $35,040 (18th lowest)
> Per pupil expenditure: $9,742 (12th lowest)
> High school graduation rate: 78.8% (11th lowest)
> Cost of living: 7.4% less than nat’l avg. (19th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

27. New Mexico
> Median salary, school teachers: $54,599
> Median salary, all workers: $33,450 (10th lowest)
> Per pupil expenditure: $10,768 (17th lowest)
> High school graduation rate: 68.6% (the lowest)
> Cost of living: 5.6% less than nat’l avg. (23rd lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

28. Iowa
> Median salary, school teachers: $53,981
> Median salary, all workers: $35,930 (22nd lowest)
> Per pupil expenditure: $13,102 (18th highest)
> High school graduation rate: 90.8% (the highest)
> Cost of living: 9.7% less than nat’l avg. (12th lowest)

Source: Thinkstock

29. Utah
> Median salary, school teachers: $53,912
> Median salary, all workers: $35,650 (21st lowest)
> Per pupil expenditure: $7,207 (the lowest)
> High school graduation rate: 84.8% (25th lowest)
> Cost of living: 3.0% less than nat’l avg. (23rd highest)

Source: Thinkstock

30. Kentucky
> Median salary, school teachers: $53,906
> Median salary, all workers: $33,790 (12th lowest)
> Per pupil expenditure: $10,945 (18th lowest)
> High school graduation rate: 88.0% (8th highest)
> Cost of living: 11.4% less than nat’l avg. (5th lowest)