The best-paying cities for high school teachers

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Teacher pay can vary for a number of reasons, including experience, level of education, union status and location. Here's a look at those locations where teachers tend to make higher-than-average salaries.

Where teachers make the most

Between 2008 and 2010, thousands of teachers were laid off during the Great Recession; now, states are scrambling to fill vacancies. In some areas, the shortage of teachers has become so severe that school districts are hiring educators with minimal experience and offering on-the-job training.

There are a number of factors contributing to the gap between supply and demand, including low salaries for educators. A recent Washington Post article revealed that, in 2015, the weekly wages of public schools teachers were 17 percent lower than similarly educated public workers. Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the 2015 median salary for high school teachers was $57,200.

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15. San Diego-Carlsbad, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $74,910

Percent Above National Average: 19.98%
Number of High School Teachers: 9,610

14. Modesto, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $75,370

Percent Above National Average: 20.59%
Number of High School Teachers: 1,120

13. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $75,450

Percent Above National Average: 20.69%
Number of High School Teachers: Not Reported

12. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $75,460

Percent Above National Average: 20.71%
Number of High School Teachers: 5,010

11. El Centro, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $76,180

Percent Above National Average: 21.65%
Number of High School Teachers: 470

10. New Haven, Connecticut

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $76,280

Percent Above National Average: 21.78%
Number of High School Teachers: 2,040

9. Waterbury, Connecticut

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $76,320

Percent Above National Average: 21.83%
Number of High School Teachers: 880

8. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $77,310

Percent Above National Average: 23.1%
Number of High School Teachers: 36,030

7. Rockford, Illinois

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $80,680

Percent Above National Average: 27.3%
Number of High School Teachers: 1,420

6. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $82,000

Percent Above National Average: 28.89%
Number of High School Teachers: 3,450

5. Fresno, California

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $83,250

Percent Above National Average: 30.37%
Number of High School Teachers: 3,850

4. Kingston, New York

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $83,730

Percent Above National Average: 30.93%
Number of High School Teachers: 560

3. New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $84,690

Percent Above National Average: 32.04%
Number of High School Teachers: 63,870

2. Fairbanks, Alaska

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $87,410

Percent Above National Average: 35.12%
Number of High School Teachers: 300

1. Anchorage, Alaska

Average Salary of High School Teachers: $88,260

Percent Above National Average: 36.05%
Number of High School Teachers: 940

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Where teachers make the most

15. San Diego-Carlsbad, California

14. Modesto, California

13. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California

12. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California

11. El Centro, California

10. New Haven, Connecticut

9. Waterbury, Connecticut

8. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California

7. Rockford, Illinois

6. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut

5. Fresno, California

4. Kingston, New York

3. New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York

2. Fairbanks, Alaska

1. Anchorage, Alaska

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