Study: Michigan a below-average state for teachers

According to a new study by wallethub.com, Michigan finds itself in the bottom half of the best states to be a teacher.

Michigan checked in at 36, just behind Ohio and just in front of Colorado in the study. WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 24 key indicators of teacher-friendliness. The data set ranges from teachers’ income growth potential to the pupil-teacher ratio, to whether the state has a digital learning plan.

On the plus side for teachers, Michigan came in at No. 2 for highest annual salaries (adjusted for cost of living), trailing only New York.

Michigan ranked 41st for opportunity and competition and right in the middle for academic and work environment at 27.

Texas has the highest annual average starting salary for teachers (adjusted for cost of living), $46,073, which is 1.5 times higher than in Maine, the state with the lowest at $31,166. New York has the highest average annual salary for public-school teachers (adjusted for cost of living), $77,867, which is 1.6 times higher than in Maine, the state with the lowest at $47,353.

Nevada has the lowest projected number of teachers per 1,000 students by the year 2028 (indicating the size of competition), 7, which is 14 times lower than in the District of Columbia, which has the highest at 98.

Vermont has the lowest pupil-teacher ratio, 10.83, which is 2.2 times lower than in Arizona, the state with the highest at 23.56.

New York has the highest public-school spending per student, $27,656, which is 3.5 times higher than in Idaho, the state with the lowest at $7,833.

To view the full report, go to wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers/7159