WalletHub ranks Washington best state for teachers as pay falls

WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of the best states for teachers places Washington first, followed by New York, Virginia, Illinois and Utah, based on 24 measures including pay, income growth potential, pupil-teacher ratios and school spending. Pennsylvania ranked 11th, Arkansas 28th and Texas 26th. Arkansas performed relatively well in opportunity and competition but ranked 49th for academic and work environment. The report said teachers nationally earn about 5% less than they did a decade ago after adjusting for inflation, underscoring concerns about compensation and working conditions.