Florida Ranks Among Worst States For Teachers

BRADENTON, FL — Florida ranks among the worst states for teachers, according to a new study by personal finance website WalletHub.

"In order to help educators find the best opportunities and teaching environments in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 23 key metrics, ranging from teachers’ income growth potential to pupil-teacher ratio to teacher safety," WalletHub said in releasing its findings on Monday.

Florida ranked 33rd in the nation overall posting the 48th worst average salary for teachers, the 46th lowest 10-year change in teacher salaries as well as the 43rd lowest public school spending amount per student, according to WalletHub.

The website also ranked Florida:

• 30th – Average starting salary for teachers (adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 26th – Quality of school system
• 26th – Pupil-teacher ratio
• 20th – Teachers’ income growth potential
• 8th – Projected competition in year 2026

WalletHub noted that teaching is among the lowest-paid professions that require a bachelor’s degree in the country.

"This combination of job pressures, low pay and lack of mobility forces many teachers to quit soon after they start," WalletHub editors penned. "According to the National Education Association, about a fifth of all public-school teachers leave their positions within three years. Nearly half last fewer than five."

The top 10 best states for teachers include North Dakota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Utah and New York.

The bottom of the list includes Arizona, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Louisiana, West Virginia, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, District of Columbia and Maine.

You can find the complete report here.