Which states treat teachers best? See where Georgia lands in the national rankings
It’s no secret that teachers have been going through it the last few years. However, it may surprise some educators to know that Georgia ranks as no. 14 on the list of best states for teachers, according to Forbes Magazine.
Overall, Georgia didn’t come out too poorly in the metrics. To calculate the numbers, Forbes looked at retirement plans, public school enrollment fluctuation and forecasts, per-student spending, housing costs and average starting salaries versus average salaries.
How does Georgia measure up?
While individual experiences vary across districts, these numbers landed Georgia in the top 15.
Average starting salary: $38,926 — This is lower than the national average of $44,530, according to the National Education Association.
Average salary: $62,240 — The NEA reports the national average salary for teachers is $69,544.
Retirement score 58.20% — The retirement score is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of the state’s pension plan and retirement benefits.
Public school enrollment fluctuations from 2010-2021: 4% — The Georgia Department of Education arrives at this number by calculating enrollment counts by grade level. The data is collected and computed on an annual basis.
What makes one state better for teaching than another?
Education is not a monolithic system, so you can’t generalize about what all teachers want or don’t. However, it’s safe to say that it’s not exclusively about the pay.
Adjusting for inflation, teachers made an average of $3,644 less in 2023 than they did the previous year, according to WalletHub. This may indicate that teachers are considering other factors when it comes to their satisfaction with their jobs.
Pay rates — Obviously, states with higher average and starting salaries are more desirable and tend to rank better.
Cost of living — States with lower costs of living relative to pay rank higher. Georgia ranks as no. 30 in the rankings of cheapest state in which to live.
Student-to-teacher ratio — Smaller classrooms make everyone happy, so states with lower ratios are always viewed more favorably. Georgia’s average student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, which is closely in line with the national average.
Per-student spending — While it may seem counterintuitive, especially to those who oppose higher taxes, the more money a district spends on a student the better. Georgia is below the national average, with $13,270 spent on each student annually. This puts it as no. 36 state in spending.
School system quality — Muscogee County School District ranks no. 154 out of 226 districts This puts it in the bottom half of districts statewide.
Turnover rates — These rates vary wildly across the state, but Georgia’s average turnover rate is 9 to 10% a year, which is slightly lower than the national average of 10 to 11%.
Retirement and pension benefits — The Teacher Retirement System of Georgia is one of the most robust in the nation, featuring a defined benefit plan, state guarantees, cost of living adjustments, and more.
How did other states compare to Georgia?
The 10 best states for teachers are:
Washington
Utah
Minnesota
Virginia
Massachusetts
Maryland
North Dakota
Idaho
Oregon
Nebraska
The 10 worst states for teachers are:
50. Mississippi
49. West Virginia
48. Kentucky
47. New Mexico
46. Missouri
45.Louisiana
44. Arkansas
43. Ohio
42. South Carolina
41. Michigan
40. Nevada
Are these numbers surprising to you? Sound off in the comments, or you can email me or find me on Instagram.
