(STATEWIDE) - A new national report shows Indiana still ranks near the bottom for teacher pay.
According to the National Education Association, the average teacher salary in Indiana reached $61,661 for the 2024-2025 school year, placing the state 38th in the nation.
That figure remains well below the national average of $74,495.
The report also shows Indiana ranks 34th for starting teacher pay, with an average of $45,958.
Among neighboring states, Indiana ranks second-lowest, ahead of only Kentucky. Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin all report higher average salaries.
The Indiana State Teachers Association says inflation and slower growth for mid-career teachers are contributing to the gap, along with limits on collective bargaining.
State lawmakers raised the minimum starting teacher salary to $45,000 last year, but school districts determine actual pay levels.
The report also found that while average salaries increased in the past year, inflation-adjusted wages for teachers have declined since 2020.
Here's a link to the NEA 2026 report.