Teaching in NY
What New York State Has to Offer
Did You Know That . . .
- New York State ranks #1 among the states with an average teacher salary of $70,785, up 9.4 percent from 2008-2009.
- New York ranks 9th in the nation for average beginning teacher salary, at $48,520, from 2007-2008.
- New York is one of only 22 states where the increase in average teacher salary has kept pace with the national rate of inflation.
- New York State compares favorably with other states in average teacher salaries (selected comparisons below).
New Jersey $56,444 Connecticut $56,444 California $55,181 New York $53,663 Massachusetts $52,274 North Carolina $43,211 Texas $40,476
Note: Salary data excerpted from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), "Public School Teacher Questionnaire," 1993-94, 1999-2000, 2003-04, and 2007-08; and "Public Charter School Teacher Questionnaire and Digest of Educational Statistics.
New York is a great place to teach. Not only do our schools offer competitive compensation for teachers, New York offers the opportunity to be a part of a reformed and revitalized educational system. Recently revamped teacher preparation programs now align with K-12 student learning standards. All districts now offer professional development programs and mentoring support for new teachers.
New York has more than 3 million students in over 4,500 schools. With large and small cities, rural and suburban districts, New York offers diverse opportunities to teachers.
Regional Information
- Capital Region
- Central New York Region
- Finger Lakes Region
- Long Island Region
- Mid-Hudson Region
- Mohawk Valley Region
- New York City Region
- North Country Region
- Southern Tier Region
- Western New York Region
Teacher Support and Recognition
New York offers State funding to districts under the Teachers of Tomorrow Program to help them recruit and support teachers in high need schools and subject shortage areas.
Several State-funded programs support and recognize excellence in teaching (dependent upon annual legislative appropriation):
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NYS Mentor Teacher Internship Program
Grants for school mentoring programs
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NYS Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers
Grants to schools for teacher-directed professional development centers
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Albert Shanker Grant Program
Fee subsidies to teachers seeking certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
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Teacher Opportunity Corps
Grants to colleges to attract underrepresented and economically disadvantaged persons to teaching; provides special preparation to teach at-risk K-12 students
New York State also participates in the following federal programs:
- Teacher of the Year Program
- Albert Shanker Grant and Candidate Fee Subsidy Program
- Troops to Teachers Program
Teacher Preparation Programs
New York has over a hundred teacher preparation institutions that offer a wide range of programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Alternative preparation programs aimed at career changers are offered cooperatively by school districts and colleges. To learn more, go to Which Pathway is Right for Me?.