Newsweek has mapped the best states to be a teacher, based on a new report from education staffing agency ProCare Therapy.
The report found New Hampshire, Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois and New Jersey are the best states for teachers. It found the worst states to be a teacher are Louisiana, Nevada, Florida, Alaska and Arizona.
Why It Matters
States across the country have been grappling with teacher shortages in recent years as many cite low pay and other issues as reasons why they are leaving the profession. Research shows that teaching is among the lowest-paid jobs requiring a college degree, with average teacher salaries failing to keep up with inflation.
What To Know
To determine where educators are happiest in the United States, ProCare Therapy said it ranked all 50 states based on 10 factors across three categories: school and living conditions, teacher attitudes and career support. They included pupil-to-teacher ratios, teacher satisfaction, stress levels, retention rates, student engagement, school safety, curriculum control, and education spending.
Each state was given a weighted score based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health.
According to ProCare Therapy, the findings showed that states that prioritize the well-being of teachers and invest in schools have higher teacher satisfaction and retention as well as stronger student outcomes.
New Hampshire was ranked as the best state for teachers in 2025, according to ProCare Therapy’s index. It ranked as the third best in the nation for its low pupil-teacher ratio, third for low stress for teachers and fourth for teacher satisfaction.
Nebraska, which ranked second, was the third-best state for school safety and the fifth-best for teacher retention. The state also ranked fifth for low stress.
The states that ranked at the bottom of the index—including Louisiana, Nevada, Florida, Alaska and Arizona—have high pupil-teacher ratios, lower retention rates, and limited teacher autonomy. Teachers in those states also report higher levels of stress.
Best States for Teachers
- New Hampshire
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- Kansas
- Vermont
- South Dakota
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
Worst States for Teachers
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- Florida
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Alabama
- Hawaii
- Michigan
- Indiana
- New Mexico
What People Are Saying
Stephanie Morris, the senior vice president of ProCare Therapy, said in a statement provided to Newsweek: “Teachers are the backbone of our educational system, and their well-being directly impacts student success.
“By uncovering where educators are thriving and where they are struggling, we hope to spark meaningful conversations around investing in those who shape the future of our children.”
