A national teachers union reports that Mississippi has slipped back on how it compares to other states on teacher pay.
At an average salary of $53,704, Mississippi ranks last after climbing as high as 48th, according to the National Education Association. The national average is $72,030.
This comparison, though, does not take into account the cost of living, a ranking on which Mississippi is one of the best.
Since pay scales are usually pegged to living costs, almost all jobs in this state pay less than the national average. According to a 2024 report from Forbes, the average annual salary overall in Mississippi is three-fourths of the national average. That’s almost exactly the differential on teacher pay as well.
