New York Ranked Second Nationally for Teachers
The state secured a high position due to strong compensation, funding, and low teacher turnover rates.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Primary Education
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New York placed second in a 2026 national ranking of the best states for teachers, earning an overall score of 60.78 out of 100. The state earned top marks for its academic and work environment, trailing only Washington.
Why it matters
New York high standing is driven by its industry-leading average salaries and strong school funding, which contribute to the nation's lowest projected teacher turnover rate. These factors help the state maintain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining educators.
New York achieved the nation's lowest projected teacher turnover rate at 4.3% while spending $33,752 per public school student. The study evaluated states based on 24 distinct measures, with Opportunity & Competition accounting for 70% of the score.
The players
WalletHub
This personal finance website regularly publishes statistical comparisons and rankings of state performance across various professional and economic sectors.
The details
New York ranked first for its academic and work environment and sixth for pupil-teacher ratios, though it placed 25th regarding starting teacher pay when adjusted for local costs. The study, which compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia, saw New Hampshire, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, and New Mexico at the bottom of the list.
Timeline
2026: WalletHub published the national teacher ranking study.
August 17, 2026: The data collection period for the study ended.
Roadmap
The 2026 WalletHub national teacher ranking study highlights how state-level investment strategies correlate with workforce stability. New York performance reflects a broader industry focus on salary adjustments and turnover reduction to compete for talent against other top-performing states.
For teachers in New York, these rankings underscore a favorable professional environment characterized by high average pay and job stability. Educators can utilize these benchmarks to better understand their compensation standing relative to national averages and regional cost-of-living adjustments.
The takeaway
New York success highlights the importance of sustained school funding and competitive compensation in maintaining a stable teaching workforce. Other states may look to these results as a model for reducing high teacher turnover rates through institutional policy.
Further reading
Learn more about the current landscape of the field in our Primary Education section.
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Do you believe states are doing enough to address teacher pay and burnout?
