In the wake of the Nashville shooting, a heated exchange broke out on Thursday between New York Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman and Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie. The argument concerned Bowman’s frustration over the lack of serious legislation to deal with the nation’s ever-escalating series of mass shootings. (See how many school shootings have occurred every year since 1980.) Part of the discussion centered on Massie’s solution to the crisis, namely that school teachers and staff should be armed. Bowman contested that “more guns lead to more death.”
To introduce guns into schools would likely be a highly divisive measure for what is already an often-disaffected workforce. Public school teachers are among the most dissatisfied and overwhelmed segments of the U.S. labor force. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 44% of faculty and staff in K-12 schools feel burned out at work either “always” or “very often,” the largest share of any industry. The nation-leading burnout rate is fueling a wave of resignations, as teacher quits were up 41% in June 2022 over the previous year.
The problem is likely to get worse before it gets better. According to a survey conducted by the American Federation of Teachers union, about two-in-five teachers plan to quit in the next two years.
The reasons for the phenomenon are not difficult to understand. For one, public school teachers have long been underpaid. According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary of teachers in the United States is just $41,770. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and divisive culture wars have only added to the job’s challenges.
Still, there are parts of the country where teachers are far more likely to report higher levels of job satisfaction. In these places, teachers are generally well paid, teacher retention rates are often high, and schools are relatively well staffed.
Using data compiled by Niche, an education research platform, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 best public school districts for teachers in 2023. Niche ranked school districts based on a weighted index of eight measures, including teacher absenteeism, average salary, and student-teacher ratios, among others. A full description of each measure and its weighting is available here.
In the majority of school districts on this list, the average teacher salary – calculated by Niche using data from the Department of Education on total teacher pay and number of full-time teachers – tops $100,000 annually. Additionally, in most of these districts, the student-teacher ratio is well below the national average of 17:1.
Both teacher compensation and staffing levels are directly related to school budgets, which are often sourced from local property taxes. And many of the districts on this list are in wealthy areas with a strong tax base. Places like Scarsdale, New York, and Westport, Connecticut, where most households earn over $200,000 annually, are home to districts on this list. (Here is a look at the richest school district in every state.)
The districts on this list are located mostly in the Midwest and the Northeast, including nine in Illinois and 21 in New York. That these districts are concentrated in a handful of states is no coincidence. State governments have considerable leverage over education policy – including levels of investment – and as a result, overall school quality can vary considerably from one state to the next. (Here is a look at how much each state spends on public schools.)
Click here to see the best places to teach in America.
Source: Courtesy of Raymond Cheung, AUSD Board Member via Facebook
50. Arcadia Unified School District
> Location: Arcadia, Los Angeles County, CA (Los Angeles area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $111,323
> Student-teacher ratio: 24:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 23.1%
> Graduation rate: 99%
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Source: Courtesy of Orange City School District via Facebook
49. Orange City School District
> Location: Moreland Hills, Cuyahoga County, OH (Cleveland area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $122,167
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 73.7%
> Graduation rate: 92%
Source: Courtesy of Sandra Moan Wolf via Facebook
48. Harborfields Central School District
> Location: Greenlawn, Suffolk County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $118,461
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 22.7%
> Graduation rate: 98%
Source: Courtesy of Yorktown Central School District via Facebook
47. Yorktown Central School District
> Location: Yorktown, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $126,097
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 21.5%
> Graduation rate: 97%
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Source: Courtesy of Laguna Beach Unified School District via Facebook
46. Laguna Beach Unified School District
> Location: Laguna Beach, Orange County, CA (Los Angeles area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $127,138
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 35.2%
> Graduation rate: 99%
Source: Courtesy of South Orangetown Central School District via Facebook
45. South Orangetown Central School District
> Location: Blauvelt, Rockland County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $128,246
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 23.2%
> Graduation rate: 94%
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
44. North Shore Central School District
> Location: Sea Cliff, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $133,273
> Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 40.4%
> Graduation rate: 93%
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Source: Courtesy of Rye City School District via Facebook
43. Rye City School District
> Location: Rye, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $120,868
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 17.0%
> Graduation rate: 98%
Source: Courtesy of Herricks Public Schools via Facebook
42. Herricks Union Free School District
> Location: Herricks, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $127,165
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 41.4%
> Graduation rate: 97%
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Source: Courtesy of Lakewood City School District via Facebook
41. Lakewood City School District
> Location: Lakewood, Cuyahoga County, OH (Cleveland area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $96,201
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 0.0%
> Graduation rate: 87%
Source: smolaw11 / iStock via Getty Images
40. Young Elementary School District
> Location: Young, Gila County, AZ
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $96,017
> Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 0.0%
> Graduation rate: N/A
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Source: Courtesy of School District of Clayton via Facebook
39. School District of Clayton
> Location: Clayton, St. Louis County, MO (St. Louis area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $88,702
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 33.2%
> Graduation rate: 99%
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Source: Courtesy of CSEA Chapter #383 TTUSD via Facebook
38. Tahoe-Truckee Unified School District
> Location: Truckee, Nevada County, CA (Reno area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $106,017
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 0.0%
> Graduation rate: 88%
37. Bethpage Union Free School District
> Location: Bethpage, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $117,999
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 15.2%
> Graduation rate: 98%
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Source: Courtesy of Half Hollow Hills Central School District via Facebook
36. Half Hollow Hills Central School District
> Location: Dix Hills, Suffolk County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $120,922
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 19.3%
> Graduation rate: 95%
Source: Courtesy of North Allegheny School District via Facebook
35. North Allegheny School District
> Location: McCandless Township, Allegheny County, PA (Pittsburgh area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $94,667
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 28.7%
> Graduation rate: 94%
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Source: Courtesy of Hopkinton Public Schools via Facebook
34. Hopkinton Public Schools
> Location: Hopkinton, Middlesex County, MA (Boston area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $94,714
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 15.9%
> Graduation rate: 98%
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Source: Courtesy of Carmel Unified School District via Facebook
33. Carmel Unified School District
> Location: Carmel, Monterey County, CA
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $121,948
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 24.6%
> Graduation rate: 95%
Source: Courtesy of Solana Beach Elementary School District via Facebook
32. Solana Beach Elementary School District
> Location: Solana Beach, San Diego County, CA (San Diego area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $141,209
> Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 9.1%
> Graduation rate: N/A
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
> Location: North Merrick, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $122,554
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 22.4%
> Graduation rate: 96%
30. Dover-Sherborn Regional School District
> Location: Dover, Norfolk County, MA (Boston area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $103,440
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 17.7%
> Graduation rate: 92%
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Source: Courtesy of Greenville & Seely Place Schools via Facebook
29. Edgemont Union Free School District
> Location: Greenville, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $130,413
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 23.8%
> Graduation rate: 95%
28. East Williston Union Free School District
> Location: Old Westbury, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $127,752
> Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 13.7%
> Graduation rate: 95%
Source: Courtesy of Westport Public Schools via Facebook
27. Westport School District
> Location: Westport, Fairfield County, CT (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $96,938
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 15.3%
> Graduation rate: 99%
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Source: Courtesy of Fox Chapel Area School District via Facebook
26. Fox Chapel Area School District
> Location: O’Hara Township, Allegheny County, PA (Pittsburgh area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $105,523
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 39.8%
> Graduation rate: 96%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. Bronxville Union Free School District
> Location: Bronxville, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $152,309
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 8.1%
> Graduation rate: 95%
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Source: Courtesy of Byram Hills Central School District via Facebook
24. Byram Hills Central School District
> Location: North Castle, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $129,879
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 28.2%
> Graduation rate: 99%
Source: Courtesy of Libertyville High School College & Career Resource Center via Facebook
23. Community High School District 128
> Location: Vernon Hills, Lake County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $99,134
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 22.4%
> Graduation rate: 98%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
22. Township High School District No. 214
> Location: Arlington Heights, Cook County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $94,876
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 17.4%
> Graduation rate: 93%
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Source: Courtesy of Dublin City Schools via Facebook
21. Dublin City Schools
> Location: Dublin, Franklin County, OH (Columbus area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $96,723
> Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 0.0%
> Graduation rate: 93%
Source: Courtesy of Chappaqua Central School District via Facebook
20. Chappaqua Central School District
> Location: New Castle, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $152,494
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 36.7%
> Graduation rate: 97%
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Source: Courtesy of Solon Schools via Facebook
19. Solon City School District
> Location: Solon, Cuyahoga County, OH (Cleveland area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $99,698
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 26.3%
> Graduation rate: 96%
Source: Courtesy of Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District via Facebook
18. Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District
> Location: Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $131,263
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 45.4%
> Graduation rate: 95%
Source: Courtesy of Maine Township High School District 207 via Facebook
17. Maine Township High School District No. 207
> Location: Park Ridge, Cook County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $112,299
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 23.2%
> Graduation rate: 94%
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16. Roslyn Union Free School District
> Location: East Hills, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $125,756
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 11.1%
> Graduation rate: 98%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
15. New Canaan Public Schools
> Location: New Canaan, Fairfield County, CT (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $102,239
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 14.5%
> Graduation rate: 98%
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Source: Courtesy of Evanston Township High School via Facebook
14. Evanston Township High School District No. 202
> Location: Evanston, Cook County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $99,049
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 44.2%
> Graduation rate: 92%
Source: Courtesy of Township High School District 113 via Facebook
13. Township High School District No. 113
> Location: Highland Park, Lake County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $113,372
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 23.3%
> Graduation rate: 95%
Source: Courtesy of Niles Township Community High School District 219 via Facebook
12. Niles Township Community High School District No. 219
> Location: Skokie, Cook County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $96,028
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 21.1%
> Graduation rate: 93%
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Source: Courtesy of Great Neck Public Schools via Facebook
11. Great Neck Public Schools
> Location: Lake Success, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $141,805
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 25.8%
> Graduation rate: 96%
Source: Courtesy of GW Hewlett High School Class of 1986 30th Reunion via Facebook
10. Hewlett-Woodmere Union Free School District
> Location: Woodmere, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $132,739
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 5.7%
> Graduation rate: 96%
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Source: Courtesy of Lakes County Service Cooperative via Facebook
9. Region 4-Lakes Country Service Cooperative
> Location: Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, MN
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $126,703
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 0.0%
> Graduation rate: 25%
Source: Courtesy of Syosset Central School District via Facebook
8. Syosset Central School District
> Location: Syosset, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $144,055
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 13.6%
> Graduation rate: 98%
Source: Courtesy of Jericho Wrestling Alumni via Facebook
7. Jericho Union Free School District
> Location: Oyster Bay, Nassau County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $155,481
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 42.3%
> Graduation rate: 98%
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Source: Courtesy of Greenwich Public Schools via Facebook
6. Greenwich Public Schools
> Location: Greenwich, Fairfield County, CT (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $152,915
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 7.1%
> Graduation rate: 96%
Source: Courtesy of ESU 3 via Facebook
5. Educational Service Unit No. 03
> Location: La Vista, Sarpy County, NE (Omaha area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $147,656
> Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 16.7%
> Graduation rate: N/A
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Source: Courtesy of Scarsdale Public School via Facebook
4. Scarsdale Union Free School District
> Location: Scarsdale, Westchester County, NY (New York City area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $156,140
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 18.9%
> Graduation rate: 99%
Source: Courtesy of Adlai E. Stevenson High School via Facebook
3. Adlai E. Stevenson High School District No. 125
> Location: Lincolnshire, Lake County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $93,403
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 21.7%
> Graduation rate: 96%
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
2. New Trier Township High School District No. 203
> Location: Northfield, Cook County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $110,628
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 18.9%
> Graduation rate: 98%
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Source: Courtesy of Glenbrook High School Foundation via Facebook
1. Glenbrook High Schools District 225
> Location: Glenview, Cook County, IL (Chicago area)
> Avg. full-time teacher salary: $103,463
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
> Teachers missing 10+ days per year for sick/personal leave: 20.1%
> Graduation rate: 97%
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