Is Michigan Teacher-Friendly? Pay and Opportunity Ranked Nationally

Overview of Teacher-Friendly States in the U.S.

According to a recent analysis by a personal finance company, Michigan ranks near the middle when it comes to how states treat teachers. The report evaluated 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., based on 24 key indicators that measure teacher-friendliness. These indicators include factors such as income growth potential, public-school spending per student, pupil-teacher ratios, and overall working conditions.

The report highlights that the best states for teachers are those that provide fair compensation, invest in educational resources, and create supportive environments that reduce turnover. While teaching is one of the most important jobs in America, educators often face challenges such as low pay and limited opportunities for advancement.

Michigan's Ranking in the Study

Michigan placed 22nd among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., with a score of 46.13 points. This places it between Arkansas (46.38) and Texas (45.68). The state ranked 30th for opportunity and competition and 23rd for academic and work environment.

In terms of starting salaries, Michigan was ranked eighth-lowest nationally, with an average new teacher earning $41,645. However, the state performed better for veteran teachers, with an average salary of $69,067, placing it 19th in the nation.

Despite a 3% increase in average teacher wages in Michigan, this rise was matched by the same inflation rate, resulting in a 14% decrease in real wages since 2016. Additionally, school support professionals earned an average of $31,753, ranking Michigan 33rd in the country.

Top-Ranked States for Teachers

WalletHub’s rankings highlight the best states for teachers based on their scores across the 24 metrics. Here are the top 10 states:

• Virginia – 59.97 points
• Utah – 59.66 points
• Washington – 59.35 points
• New York – 57.51 points
• Illinois – 55.25 points
• Maryland – 54.35 points
• Georgia – 52.68 points
• Minnesota – 52.51 points
• Massachusetts – 51.74 points
• California – 51.54 points

Virginia tops the list, with the highest income growth potential for teachers. Although Virginia ranks 14th in starting salaries ($47,466), the state offers strong long-term career growth for educators.

Worst-Ranked States for Teachers

On the other end of the spectrum, the worst-ranked states for teachers are:

• Rhode Island – 40.76 points
• Iowa – 40.6 points
• Missouri – 40.44 points
• Alaska – 39.68 points
• Wyoming – 39.29 points
• South Dakota – 38.24 points
• New Hampshire – 36.98 points
• Maine – 36.65 points
• Montana – 34.27 points
• Hawaii – 33.21 points

These states struggled with lower teacher salaries, higher turnover rates, and less investment in education.

How WalletHub Conducted Its Analysis

WalletHub evaluated teacher-friendliness by analyzing two main categories: opportunity and competition, and academic and work environment. The first category had more weight in the final ranking. The company used 24 metrics across these areas, scoring each state on a 100-point scale.

Data sources included the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Education Association, and various other educational and economic organizations. All data was collected as of August 18, 2025.

About WalletHub

WalletHub is a personal finance company based in Miami. It provides tools and insights to help individuals make informed financial decisions, including reports on teacher-friendliness across the United States.