Illinois is the fourth-fourth-best state for teachers, according to a new WalletHub study comparing the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 24 key measures of teacher-friendliness. The analysis considered factors ranging from income growth potential to pupil-teacher ratios to public-school funding per student.
While teaching can be an incredibly rewarding career, conditions for teachers can vary drastically from state to state. Many educators are overworked and underpaid. Education remains one of the lowest-paying occupations requiring a bachelor's degree, and teacher salaries have not kept pace with inflation. Adjusted for inflation, teachers make 5% less today than they did 10 years ago.
“Despite having one of the most crucial jobs in America — educating the next generation — teachers are often underpaid and underappreciated. The states that make a teaching career the most rewarding are those that compensate educators well, invest heavily in educational resources, pass laws that improve school-system quality, and provide supportive conditions that lead to low turnover,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
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In-Depth Look at Illinois
Illinois is one of the best states for teachers, with the best income growth potential for educators in the country. Its average annual salary, adjusted for the cost of living, is also the third-highest, at $78,602. Illinois teachers have the third-largest average pension, too.
However, Illinois has room for improvement in other areas. For example, teachers there have the ninth-longest average commute in the country. In addition, the state has one of the slowest paths to tenure, requiring four years on the job.
How Illinois Ranks in Other Key Metrics
- Sixth: Teacher tenure protections
- Ninth: Public-school enrollment growth
- 31st: Share of new teachers with inadequate pensions
- 32nd: Teacher-prep program completion rate
WalletHub's study groups the metrics into two categories: Opportunity & Competition, which makes up 70% of the total scoring, and Academic & Work Environment, which makes up the other 30%. Illinois ranks third for Opportunity & Competition and 25th for Academic & Work Environment, which puts it in fourth place overall out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Best States for Teachers
Overall Rank | State | Total Score | Opportunity & Competition Rank | Academic & Work Environment Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Washington | 61.60 | 1 | 11 |
2 | New York | 60.78 | 8 | 1 |
3 | Virginia | 58.78 | 5 | 9 |
4 | Illinois | 55.84 | 3 | 25 |
5 | Utah | 55.58 | 6 | 18 |
6 | Georgia | 55.03 | 4 | 26 |
7 | Maryland | 54.80 | 25 | 3 |
8 | New Jersey | 53.77 | 21 | 6 |
9 | California | 53.76 | 2 | 44 |
10 | Connecticut | 52.79 | 34 | 4 |
The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.
