California is the only state that pays teachers an average of 6 figures. Here's what's behind it.

• In 2024-2025, California public school teachers made an average of $103,552, according to NEA data.
• The salary reflects the high cost of living and state policies.
• California still falls behind many other states in some education metrics.

In a country as large as the US, no two public schoolteachers' work is the same. Some may teach in a rural classroom of 10 students, while others oversee dozens of pupils in a crowded city school.

As with many other industries, salary remains one of the biggest differences for teachers across the country.

Business Insider recently compiled a list of the average public schoolteacher salary in every state, based on the National Education Association's Rankings of the States 2025 and Estimates of School Statistics 2026 report.

Salaries fluctuated widely across the country, but California stood above the rest with an average salary of $103,552. The six-digit paycheck is the result of multiple factors, ranging from economic conditions to state policy.

Six-figure public teacher salaries reflect California's high cost of living

California consistently ranks among the states with the highest cost of living in the US, often alongside Hawaii and Massachusetts. CNBC recently ranked the Golden State as the most expensive state in the country, citing factors such as housing, grocery prices, and basic goods.

For example, California was named by Realtor.com as one of the most unaffordable states to buy a home in 2026, with a median listing price of $750,000 as of June. Renters in California spend an average of 39.8% of their income on housing costs, and homeowners spend 43% on average, according to a separate WalletHub study.

California frequently has the highest gas prices in the country, too; the average price per gallon was $5.39 on July 13, compared to $3.87 nationwide, according to AAA.

As a result, salaries can be higher in the state. The average annual salary in California is the fourth highest in the nation, Forbes reported. So while a six-figure average salary may be attention-grabbing, it's offset by high expenses in the state.

State policies can be a factor in public teacher salaries

While the salaries themselves are mostly determined at the local level, the state also plays a role. One law, known as Education Code 41372, requires school districts to devote a percentage of their expenses — 50% to 60%, depending on grade level — towards teacher pay.

The law has been in place since the 1970s, though many districts circumvent the requirement through waivers granted by county superintendents, GV Wire reported. Some county superintendents argue the law is outdated.

California public school teachers have collective bargaining rights under the Educational Employment Relations Act, or the Rodda Act, and may strike after unions complete the required bargaining and impasse procedures, according to the California Teachers Association. A study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found that California had the second strongest teacher unions in the US, only behind Vermont.

Another state law requires that school districts publicly disclose average teacher salaries, which allows for greater transparency, according to Education Resource Strategies.

The state lags behind others in some education metrics

California's high teacher pay does not mean the state leads every measure of educational attainment or student performance.

US News & World Report ranked California 24th overall for education and 38th in pre-K-12 education in 2025.

In WalletHub's 2026 ranking of the most and least educated states, California ranked 29th overall, despite a No. 7 rank in quality of education, thanks largely to its universities.

Among all states, California falls in the middle of the pack for its high-school graduation rate, tying with North Carolina for the 26th spot with a graduation rate of 87.50%.

California's 8th graders in public schools averaged 269 out of 500 in 2024 NAEP math scores, compared to the national average of 272.