Why New York State Has The Best Teachers

Being a teacher is a rewarding and challenging career. A study was conducted to determine the state that had the best teachers and I think it was no surprise that New York came in at number one.

Teaching is an incredibly fulfilling career, but it comes with its challenges. Many teachers feel overworked and underpaid, with salaries often not keeping pace with inflation. Teacher pay has dropped by 5% over the last decade, even though expectations and responsibilities have only increased.

However, some states do better at supporting teachers. WalletHub compared all 50 states and D.C. using 24 factors, like salary growth and student spending, to find the best environments for educators. Key metrics include salary, tenure protections, school quality, and teacher turnover rates.

New York stands out as the best state for teachers. It boasts the highest average teacher salary, adjusted for cost of living, at $82,571. The state also leads the nation in spending per student at $31,839, ranking eighth for overall school system quality. As a result, New York has the lowest teacher turnover rate in the country at just 4.3%.

New York State has the best teachers, and the one crowned 2025 New York State Teacher of the Year, Colleen Keough, is from here in the Capital Region.

While teaching is rewarding, it has become more complex over time. Teachers face increasing responsibilities, often without the pay or resources to match. Many find themselves navigating polarized issues like book bans and digital learning mandates, which adds pressure to an already demanding job. When support is lacking, teachers are more likely to leave the profession for less stressful, higher-paying careers.