Teaching remains one of the most vital professions in Arizona, where educators shape the futures of more than a million students statewide. However, teacher pay has struggled to keep pace with inflation and the state’s rising cost of living, creating ongoing challenges for recruitment and retention.
This guide offers a detailed look at teacher salaries across Arizona, highlighting average pay by district, benefits, job outlook, and certification steps. It also outlines how Teachers of Tomorrow can help aspiring educators earn their certification and start a successful teaching career in the Grand Canyon State.
Salary snapshot
The National Education Association’s 2025 Educator Pay Data report lists the average starting salary for new teachers in Arizona at $46,128 and the average teacher salary at $62,714. To put those numbers in perspective, the NEA estimates that Arizona teachers earn only 67 cents for every dollar their peers in similar college‑educated professions take home. The state’s minimum living wage—the wage needed for a single adult to meet basic needs—is $66,744, which exceeds the average teacher salary. Average per‑student spending is relatively low at $11,808. Table 1 summarizes the pay landscape and places teacher compensation in context.
Key salary statistics for Arizona teachers
| Category | Value (2025) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State minimum starting salary | ~$46,128 average starting salary | NEA Educator Pay Data 2025 |
| Average public school teacher salary | $62,714 | NEA Educator Pay Data 2025 |
| 10th percentile (low earners) | ~$28,000 | Cross River Therapy (Zippia/WorldPopulationReview data) |
| 90th percentile (high earners) | ~$53,000 | Cross River Therapy |
| Teacher pay gap | 67¢ earned per $1 paid to similar professionals | NEA |
| Minimum living wage | $66,744 | NEA |
| Per‑pupil spending | $11,808 | NEA |
| Average education support staff earnings | $32,374 | NEA |
| Average higher‑ed faculty salary | $105,188 | NEA |
Despite a decade of reforms, Arizona teacher salaries remain among the lowest in the nation when adjusted for cost of living. An analysis by Education Forward Arizona found that the state’s adjusted median pay ranking fell from 34th to 47th nationally between 2016 and 2021, even after accounting for the wage increases enacted under the 20×2020 teacher pay plan. In 2024 Arizona’s minimum wage increased to $14.35 per hour, yet full‑time teachers still earn below the living‑wage threshold.
What is a good starting salary for Arizona teachers?
Although Arizona does not have a statutory statewide minimum salary for teachers, most districts peg entry‑level pay close to the NEA’s $46 k average. Moreland University’s teacher salary guide lists the average starting salary at $44,124 and the overall average salary at $60,275. Starting pay can vary widely depending on the district and local funding. For example, beginning teachers in high‑cost Phoenix suburbs such as Scottsdale or Chandler often earn around $50,000, while smaller rural districts may offer closer to $40,000. When compared with the estimated minimum living wage of $66,744, these figures illustrate why many new teachers take on second jobs or leave the profession within their first few years.
Local salary supplements and variation
Arizona law allows districts to add local supplements using voter‑approved overrides or revenue from property taxes. Wealthier districts in the Phoenix metro area tend to pay higher salaries than rural or reservation districts. A notable example is the Chinle Unified School District, located on the Navajo Nation. Chinle was ranked the third highest‑paying district in Arizona in FY 2022, with average teacher pay of $75,017. The district continued to invest in teacher pay, reporting average salaries of $88,143 in FY 2023, $88,591 in FY 2024 and $94,918 in FY 2025—well above both the national average teacher salary of about $66,397 and the state average of roughly $58,000. These figures show that salaries can be much higher in districts with strong local funding or targeted efforts to recruit and retain educators.
Average teacher salary in Arizona
The average public school teacher salary in Arizona is $62,714—about $4,000 below the national average. Cross River Therapy, using data aggregated from Zippia and WorldPopulationReview, reports an even lower average salary of $38,865, with the bottom 10 % earning around $28,000 and the top 10 % earning around $53,000. These lower figures may reflect salaries for early‑career teachers or positions in private and charter schools. Regardless, Arizona teachers continue to earn far less than the cost‑of‑living wage ($66,744) needed to support a single adult.
Several factors contribute to the stagnant salary growth:
- High student–teacher ratios: The National Center for Education Statistics reports an average ratio of 23:1 in Arizona, one of the highest in the nation, which stretches resources.
- Teacher shortages: Arizona had 2,890 teacher vacancies during the 2022‑2023 school year and more than 5,036 teachers were considered under‑qualified or teaching outside their certification area. Shortages put upward pressure on wages in some districts but also lead to burnout and turnover when positions cannot be filled.
- Pay gap relative to other professions: The NEA’s analysis shows Arizona teachers earn 33 % less than similarly educated professionals.
- Cost of living: The state’s living wage of $66,744 exceeds the average teacher salary by roughly $4,000.
Teacher salaries by role and education level
The Teacher Certification & Licensing Guide for Arizona provides granular data on salaries by teaching role, along with projected job growth through 2032. Table 2 lists average salaries and the 25th/75th percentile wages for various roles.
Salary range and projected job growth for Arizona teachers
| Role (Public K‑12) | Average salary | 25th percentile | 75th percentile | Projected job growth (2022‑32) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool teacher | $33,970 | $28,550 | $36,260 | 13.4 % growth (vs. 3.4 % nationally) |
| Preschool special‑education teacher | $53,440 | $47,490 | $59,780 | 3.2 % growth |
| Kindergarten teacher | $51,930 | $45,890 | $58,830 | 3.3 % growth |
| Elementary school teacher | $51,180 | $45,280 | $59,160 | 3.5 % growth |
| Elementary & kindergarten special education | $55,680 | $48,160 | $64,200 | 3.4 % growth |
| Middle school teacher | $52,110 | $46,280 | $57,770 | 3.8 % growth |
| Middle school special education | $54,890 | $46,890 | $62,040 | — |
| Secondary (high school) teacher | $59,490 | $47,930 | $65,290 | 3.9 % growth |
| Secondary special education | $57,280 | $47,670 | $65,030 | — |
| Secondary career/technical education | $59,600 | $49,800 | $65,680 | 1.5 % growth |
These figures show that high school teachers and those in career/technical education tend to earn more than elementary teachers. Salaries also rise with specialization; special education teachers and career/technical educators command premiums of roughly $3,000–$4,000 over general classroom teachers. Job growth projections are strongest for preschool teachers (13.4 %) and kindergarten teachers (3.3 %), indicating strong demand for early childhood educators in the coming decade.
Salary growth with experience
Exact salary schedules vary by district, but pay typically increases with years of service and educational attainment. According to Moreland University, teachers can earn additional compensation by pursuing a master’s degree, national board certification, or taking on leadership roles such as department chair or instructional coach. Many districts also offer stipends for coaching athletics or advising extracurricular activities. Because salary ladders are negotiated at the local level, experienced teachers in districts with generous supplemental pay may earn well above the state’s 90th‑percentile salary of $53,000.
High‑paying school districts in Arizona
While Arizona’s statewide averages are modest, some districts pay their teachers substantially more. Highlights include:
- Chinle Unified School District – The district boosted average teacher salaries from $75,017 in FY 2022 to $88,591 in FY 2024 and reports average salaries approaching $94,918 for FY 2025. Chinle’s salaries exceed both the national average teacher salary ($66,397) and the state average ($58,000).
- Phoenix‑area districts – Districts like Scottsdale, Chandler, and Mesa use local funding to offer starting salaries around $50,000. Pay is often tied to referendum overrides and property tax revenues.
- Charter and private schools – Some charter networks offer competitive pay to attract talent, though pay may include performance incentives or longer contracts.
Pay per hour
Teachers routinely work beyond the hours specified in their contracts. To estimate an hourly wage, assume a 190‑day work year (roughly 38 weeks) with eight hours per day, yielding 1,520 hours. Under this assumption, a teacher earning the average salary ($62,714) is effectively paid about $41.26 per hour, while a new teacher earning $46,128 earns approximately $30.35 per hour. Although these rates exceed Arizona’s minimum wage of $14.35, they are only slightly above the living wage needed to cover basic expenses ($66,744 annual ≈ $43.89/hour), highlighting why many educators struggle to make ends meet.
Factors that influence teacher salaries
Multiple variables determine what an Arizona teacher earns:
- Years of experience and degree level: Most districts use salary schedules where pay increases with experience and with advanced degrees. Teachers with master’s degrees or national board certification often receive several thousand dollars more per year.
- Subject area: High‑demand subjects (special education, math, science, and bilingual education) often come with stipends because they are recognized shortage areas.
- District funding: Property‑rich districts can offer higher base salaries and supplements; rural and reservation districts may rely more heavily on state aid and federal impact aid.
- Performance and leadership roles: Some districts provide merit pay for student achievement or stipends for coaching, mentoring new teachers, or chairing departments.
- National board certification or advanced credentials: Educators who earn national board certification or endorsements in specialized areas may receive bonuses or higher pay scales.
Bonuses and incentives
Arizona does not have a statewide bonus program, but districts and charter networks offer incentives such as:
- Signing bonuses for teachers willing to work in high‑need subjects or rural areas.
- Retention stipends are distributed at the end of the school year for teachers who stay with the district.
- Hard‑to‑staff subject bonuses for math, science, bilingual education, and special education teachers.
- Career ladder programs that pay stipends to lead teachers who mentor colleagues or implement schoolwide initiatives.
These incentives are typically negotiated locally and funded through district budgets or federal grants.
Benefits and total compensation
Pay is only one part of a teacher’s compensation package. Most Arizona districts offer comprehensive benefits, including health and dental coverage, retirement contributions, and paid leave. For example, the Tolleson Elementary School District provides medical insurance through United Healthcare (PPO and high‑deductible plans), dental plans through Delta Dental or Cigna, vision coverage through United Healthcare Vision, life insurance of $30,000 (with buy‑up options), short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, and prepaid legal services. The district also pays the employer share of the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) contribution and offers wellness programs and professional development. Benefits typically commence at the beginning of employment and may be more generous in districts with strong local revenue.
Retirement and pension contributions
Arizona teachers participate in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined benefit plan. According to the Reason Foundation, teachers contribute 12.14 % of their salaries to the pension plan in 2024. While the ASRS is about 74 % funded, the high contribution rate means teachers give up a substantial portion of their paycheck for retirement. Some districts supplement pensions with 403(b) retirement savings plans or offer health savings accounts.
Job outlook and teacher demand
Arizona’s teacher workforce is projected to grow 3.6 % through 2032, exceeding the national average. The state expects exceptionally high growth for preschool teachers (13.4 %) and kindergarten teachers (3.3 %). However, persistent shortages remain in special education, bilingual education, math, science and English language arts. The student–teacher ratio of 23:1 is significantly above the national average, suggesting that many classes are overcrowded and require additional teachers.
How to become a teacher in Arizona
Arizona’s certification process is overseen by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). Prospective teachers must:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree with an approved teacher preparation program. The program must include a supervised student teaching placement. Candidates who have a degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program can pursue alternative certification.
- Complete student teaching. Approved educator preparation programs require a 12‑week placement or internship in the desired grade/subject area.
- Pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA). Most prospective teachers take both a Professional Knowledge exam and a Subject Knowledge exam.
- Apply for certification through ADE Connect. Applicants must provide transcripts, test scores, a fingerprint clearance card and pay the required fee.
- Maintain certification. Arizona teachers renew their certificates every six years by completing professional development hours. Additional endorsements or subject areas can be added through further coursework.
Substitute teachers
Individuals with a bachelor’s degree may obtain a Substitute Certificate valid for six years. Those without a bachelor’s degree may qualify for an Emergency Substitute with a high school diploma or associate degree, but they may only teach up to 120 days per year.
Teacher salaries in Arizona have improved since the 20×2020 pay plan but still lag behind the minimum living wage and national averages. The average salary of $62,714 places educators below similarly educated professionals, leaving little margin after deducting pension contributions and health premiums. Despite these challenges, several districts—especially Chinle USD—demonstrate that competitive salaries are possible. As Arizona continues to grapple with teacher shortages and high student–teacher ratios, investments in compensation, benefits and working conditions will be critical to attracting and retaining qualified educators. For those who feel called to teach, understanding the salary landscape and certification requirements can help navigate a rewarding career in the Grand Canyon State.
