How much you will earn is always an important consideration when choosing a career. If you’re considering or already working toward becoming an educator in Texas, you may be wondering, “How much can I expect to earn when becoming a teacher?”
The median teacher salary in Texas as of Aug. 1, 2025, is $52,235. The average annual salary ranges from $44,726 (25th percentile) to $59,416 (75th percentile).
However, several factors can influence a potential teaching salary, from the subject you teach to the size of the district, how much experience you have and the location of your teaching job. Here are some considerations to keep in mind to help you determine what you should expect to earn when becoming a teacher in Texas.
While there are many factors that can influence your salary, there’s one item Texas teachers can count on in any circumstance … state minimum requirements.
In Texas, the state says you must earn a minimum annual salary (based on a 10-month contract) that is based on years of credited experience. Each year, the TEA updates its state minimum salary schedule for classroom teachers.
These amounts also apply to full-time librarians, full-time counselors and full-time registered nurses who work in a school district.
The schedule ensures that no school district may pay less than the base salary listed in the Texas Administrative Code. For example, for the 2025-2026 school year, a new teacher with zero years of experience must earn at least $33,960 for a 10-month contract with the district. However, experienced teachers with 20 or more years of teaching must earn at least $55,030.
Once you know what you must earn, you can begin to look at other factors that may influence what you can expect to earn. One of these factors is the age group or grade level you teach.
On average, elementary teachers tend to earn less than secondary teachers, at least in base salary. According to a salary report database maintained by the TEA, the average base pay for public school teachers who taught in grades 9-12 during the 2024-2025 school year, was $64,818. Educators who taught kindergarten through 6th grade earned a slightly less average of $62,764.
Depending on where you teach, your salary may differ from one region to another. In Texas, the state is divided into 20 regions.
Regions with large metropolitan areas tend to have higher average base salaries. For example, Region 4, which includes Houston, has an average base pay of $68,416. Region 10, which includes Dallas, has an average base pay of $66,143.
On the other hand, region 8, which includes Paris, De Kalb and several other smaller communities, has an average base pay of $55,038.
If you have chosen to teach in any of these subject areas or specialties listed below, you may be offered a higher salary than the average teacher base pay. These subjects were listed as the most recent teacher shortage areas by the Texas Education Agency (TEA):
There is a significant shortage of candidates to fill teaching positions in these disciplines and many school districts are seeking candidates to fill their open positions.
You may also be able to take advantage of loan forgiveness programs during your teaching career if you accept a position that falls in under some of these teacher shortage areas. It’s important to check these approved shortage areas each year, as they can change from school year to school year.
Although there are minimum salary protections put into place, many school districts across Texas offer higher average base salaries. Many factors also come into play, including your experience, where you work and whether your position is experiencing a higher demand.
If you’re considering taking the next step and pursuing your dream of becoming an educator, it’s important to reach out to an approved educator preparation program to learn what next steps you should take to earn your teaching certification.
Alternative certification programs or teacher preparation programs offer a great way for you to earn certification if you already have a bachelor’s degree or experience in the field you wish to teach. (And you don’t need a degree in education to enroll.)
As enrollment in schools continues to rise in districts across Texas, so does the need for teachers. Want to know more? You can read more about what it takes to become an educator in Texas in our article, Education And Training Needed To Become A Teacher.
Topics: Becoming A Teacher
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