New York is the second-best state in America for teachers, according to a new WalletHub story.
While teaching can be a highly rewarding job, it can also come with many downfalls. According to WalletHub, education is among the lowest-paying jobs that require a bachelor's degree. The salaries for teachers also don't keep up with inflation, as teachers are making 5% less, on average, than they were 10 years ago, WalletHub stated.
Compensation for teachers, however, can vary from state to state, along with working conditions.
To determine which states offer the best pay and working conditions for teachers, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 measures of teacher-friendliness, ranging from income growth potential to
pupil-teacher ratios and public school spending per student.
Here is what to know about New York's ranking.
Why is NY among the best states for teachers?
New York ranked as the second-best state for teachers in America, with an overall score of 60.78.
The Empire State placed at No. 8 for the opportunity & competition rank, and No. 1 for the academic & work environment rank.
There are many reasons why New York ranked among the best states for teachers, according to WalletHub. For one, New York has the highest average annual salary for public teachers after adjusting for the cost of living, coming out at $87,670.
The state also has the strongest tenure protections in the country, the fourth-best income growth potential, and the fifth-highest average pensions.
New York also offers many resources to students, making it easier for teachers to do their jobs, according to WalletHub. The Empire State has the highest amount of funding per public school student, which falls at $33,752.
Many of these reasons, according to WalletHub, can explain why New York also has the lowest turnover rate in the country at 4.3%.
WalletHub's 10 best states for teachers
- Washington
- New York
- Virginia
- Illinois
- Utah
- Georgia
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- California
- Connecticut
WalletHub's 10 worst states for teachers
- No. 51: New Hampshire
- No. 50: Hawaii
- No. 49: Montana
- No. 48: Maine
- No. 47: New Mexico
- No. 46: Rhode Island
- No. 45: Alaska
- No. 44: North Carolina
- No. 43: Wyoming
- No. 42: Missouri
How WalletHub assessed states on teacher-friendliness
To determine the most teacher-friendly states in the country, WalletHub compared the 50 states and District of Columbia across two key dimensions: opportunity & competition and academic & work environment.
The opportunity & competition category analyzed these factors:
- Average starting salary for teachers
- Average salary for teachers
- Teachers' income growth potential
- 10-year change in teacher salaries
- Average teacher pension
- Share of new teachers with inadequate pensions
- Projected teacher competition in year 2034
- Public school enrollment growth
- Length of time before tenure kicks in
- Teacher tenure protections
- Teacher preparation program completion
The academic & work environment category analyzed these factors:
- Existence of digital learning plan
- State statute on out-of-school access to instructional materials
- State guidance on accessible technologies
- Quality of school system
- Pupil-teacher ratio
- Public school spending per student
- Presence of annual teacher evaluation requirement
- Presence of teacher effectiveness requirement
- Projected share of teacher turnover
- Share of teachers who feel supported by their administrator
- Average commute time
- Prevalence of childhood disadvantage
- Working mom friendliness
Data used to create the ranking was collected as of Aug. 17, 2026, and was sourced from multiple entities, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics.
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York State. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't helpfamilies with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York ranks No. 2 among best states for teachers in 2026
