BALTIMORE, MD—A new report from the personal-finance company WalletHub has ranked Maryland as the sixth-best state for teachers in the nation, with Virginia taking the top spot and Hawaii coming in last.
Released just before World Teachers’ Day, the “2025’s Best & Worst States for Teachers” report analyzed all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key metrics. According to WalletHub, the average teacher’s salary has decreased by $3,728 over the past 16 years when adjusted for inflation.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the best states for teachers are those that provide good compensation, strong resources, and supportive environments.
Maryland’s high ranking was boosted by its quality of school system, which ranked ninth nationally, and the existence of a digital learning plan, for which it was ranked first. The state also performed well in average teacher salary adjusted for cost of living (15th) and the 10-year change in teacher salaries (15th).
However, the report noted areas where Maryland could improve. The state ranked 28th for pupil-teacher ratio and 26th for teachers’ income growth potential. It also ranked 23rd for projected competition in 2032.
Virginia, which claimed the top spot, was highlighted for having the highest income growth potential in the country. Virginia also offers tenure after three years and has the fourth-best school system in the nation, according to the report.
The full report can be viewed online here at WalletHub.
More in the video below.
