Maine again ranks among the worst states for teachers, study says (2024)

For another year, Maine ranks as one of the country’s worst states for professionals in education.

Financial website WalletHub puts Maine No. 49 in a comparison of the states and the District of Columbia as the “best” places for teachers. Only D.C. and New Hampshire were lower, at Nos. 50 and 51 respectively.

In a more specific WalletHub evaluation of states with the best “opportunity and competition” for teachers, Maine ranked No. 50.

WalletHub’s annual ranking is based on 24 criteria, ranging this year from the average starting salary for educators to their average pension to the average public spending per pupil.

In 2020, Maine was No. 48 overall, ahead of Arizona, New Mexico and New Hampshire. That rank represented a large decline from 2019, when Maine placed No. 42.

However, the Pine Tree State fares better when it comes to the category of “academic and work environment,” which looks at factors such as the quality of public schools and the existence of a digital learning plan. This year, Maine ranks No. 15 in that area, up from No. 18 in 2020.

The top three states for teachers in 2021, according to WalletHub, are New York, Utah and Washington, respectively.

For more information and the complete rankings, click here.

Maine again ranks among the worst states for teachers, study says (2024)

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Maine again ranks among the worst states for teachers, study says? ›

Maine again ranks among the worst states for teachers, study says. For another year, Maine ranks as one of the country's worst states for professionals in education

education
An academic discipline or field of study is a branch of knowledge, taught and researched as part of higher education. A scholar's discipline is commonly defined by the university faculties and learned societies to which they belong and the academic journals in which they publish research.
https://en.wikipedia.org › Outline_of_academic_disciplines
. Financial website WalletHub puts Maine No. 49 in a comparison of the states and the District of Columbia as the “best” places for teachers.

Is Maine a good place for teachers? ›

Departing teachers cite low pay and challenging working conditions as the leading causes for leaving their profession. As a result, schools in Maine are facing a shortage of qualified teachers. Maine's starting salaries for young teachers is the lowest in New England.

Which state has the happiest teachers? ›

What states are teachers happiest in? Happiness is subjective, but in the best states for teachers, educators are paid well and have good retirement plans, engaged students and affordable housing. The top five states ranked according to these factors are Washington, Utah, Minnesota, Virginia and Massachusetts.

Is teaching a good career in 2024? ›

Final Thoughts on Is Teaching a Good Career

While challenges like work-life balance and bureaucracy exist, the rewards often outweigh the hardships, with tangible and intangible benefits that extend beyond the classroom.

What state has the best cost of living for teachers? ›

When it comes to teacher compensation adjusted for cost of living, Illinois holds the top spot nationwide. The average teacher salary in Illinois falls well above the national average, while cost of living in the state is far less than in some of the states above.

Is there a teacher shortage in Maine? ›

School year in Maine begins with familiar staffing shortages

In the 2021-22 school year there were a total of 15,418 teachers in Maine, according to state data.

What is a teachers salary in Maine? ›

As of Jun 14, 2024, the average annual pay for a School Teacher in Maine is $59,801 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $28.75 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,150/week or $4,983/month.

What grade teacher is most in demand? ›

Top 10 Fastest-Growing Education Careers
  • Preschool Teacher. ...
  • Tutor. ...
  • Librarian. ...
  • Instructional Coordinator. ...
  • High School Teacher. ...
  • Middle School Teacher. ...
  • Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher. Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $63,670. ...
  • Special Education Teacher. Median Annual Salary (May 2023): $65,910.
May 28, 2024

What's the best state to be a teacher in? ›

New York outshines all other states and tops the list, with a commendable score of 59.33, reflecting a favorable environment for teachers. States like Utah and Virginia trail closely behind the Empire State, scoring 57.38 and 56.13 respectively, indicating their consistent commitment to quality teaching conditions.

What states offer the best teacher retirement? ›

01The five best states for new teachers to enroll in a retirement plan are South Carolina, Tennessee, South Dakota, Oregon, and Michigan. Three of these states offer a hybrid plan (TN, SD, OR), while the other two offer a choice between a pension plan or a DC plan (SC, MI).

What is the lowest paid teacher state? ›

Mississippi: Unfortunately, Mississippi has the lowest average teacher salary in the nation, standing at $45,574. This figure falls significantly below the national average and highlights the challenges faced by educators in this state.

What state has the highest teacher shortage? ›

The top 10 states with the highest teacher shortage are:
  • Nevada.
  • Utah.
  • Arizona.
  • California.
  • Florida.
  • Alaska.
  • Idaho.
  • Ohio.
Apr 30, 2024

What state pays the highest teacher salary? ›

The five highest-paying states based on annual mean salary are:
  • California ($92,960)
  • New York ($91,290)
  • Washington ($88,530)
  • Massachusettes ($82,960)
  • Connecticut ($80,230)
Nov 28, 2023

What is the best state to be a teacher in? ›

Best State To Teach In
RankRegionBest State for Teachers
1.New York59.33
2.Utah57.38
3.Virginia56.13
4.Florida55.92
46 more rows

Does Maine have a good education system? ›

In the 1990s, Maine students consistently ranked first or second on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in math and reading. Maine was a model state for education, with other states moving to imitate its policies and practices. By 2022, however, the state's rank had plummeted to 36th.

What state has the highest demand for teachers? ›

The top 10 states with the highest teacher shortage are:
  • Nevada.
  • Utah.
  • Arizona.
  • California.
  • Florida.
  • Alaska.
  • Idaho.
  • Ohio.
Apr 30, 2024

How many days do teachers work in Maine? ›

At least 175 days shall be used for instruction. In meeting the requirement of a 180-day school year, no more than 5 days may be used for in-service education of teachers, administrative meetings, parent-teacher conferences, records' days and similar activities.

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