Salary Comparisons Show Gap with Living Costs

Teachers in Idaho earn an average of $62,786 annually, placing the state 36th nationally for educator compensation, according to new data from the National Education Association. The figures reflect salaries during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The NEA analysis estimates Idaho’s minimum living wage at approximately $65,542, meaning average teacher pay falls below what the organization considers necessary for basic economic stability in the state.

Support Staff Compensation Lags Further Behind

Education support professionals—commonly called paraeducators—earned an average of $29,618 during the same period, ranking Idaho 48th among all states for those positions.

Entry-level teachers in Idaho started at an average salary of $46,253, which placed the state 33rd nationally for beginning educator pay.

National Context and Inflation Concerns

The union’s analysis noted that while educator compensation has risen in recent years, wage growth has not matched inflation rates over the past ten years. Nationally, average teacher salaries increased 3.5% to reach $74,495.

According to NEA estimates, teachers nationwide earn approximately 27% less than other professionals with comparable education levels.

The organization’s report indicated that states with collective bargaining frameworks see teacher salaries that are 24% higher on average than states without such structures.

Recent Legislative Tensions

The salary data arrives amid ongoing disputes between Idaho’s teachers union and state leadership. The Idaho Education Association recently issued a vote of no confidence in Governor Brad Little following his approval of legislation that limits how school districts can accommodate union activities.

Updated State Figures Show Continued Growth

More recent state-level data shows Idaho teacher compensation has grown 21.9% since 2021. Minimum salary levels have increased 24.5% during the same timeframe.

For the current 2025-26 school year, the minimum teacher salary in Idaho is $50,252, while the statewide average has risen to $66,085.

The compensation analysis follows a separate national ranking that placed Idaho last among all states for per-student education spending.