TeacherPortal Salary Comfort Score

1st

friendliest state for teachers

(what's this?)

If you are considering becoming a teacher in Illinois, you will make the third highest teacher salary in the country. The average Illinois teacher salary starts at $37,500 and averages $58,686 a year. Starting salaries are the fourth highest in the nation. This fact is especially attractive to new teachers who want to complete a masters degree early on in their careers; bumping them up the pay scale.

Our comfort score for this highest-ranked state was derived by examining average teacher salaries and comparing them to the average cost of living. The combination of teacher salary and affordability, alongside a plentiful teacher job market, makes Illinois a great choice for any teacher.

How do salaries grow in Illinois?

Starting Salary: $37,500
Average Salary: $58,686

Student/Teacher Ratios in Illinois, 2006

Number of Teachers: 132,142
Number of Students: 2,114,272
Students per Teacher: 16.0

Kickstart your Illinois Teaching Career

Top Online Schools

Liberty University Online Campus 
  • EdD in Teaching and Learning
  • MA in Teaching - Elementary Education
  • MA in Teaching - Secondary Education
  • MEd in Administration and Supervision
  • BS in Education
  • EdD in Educational Leadership
  • EdS in Educational Leadership
  • MA in Teaching - Special Education
  • MEd in School Counseling
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - Elementary Education
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - Special Education
  • Master's in Religious Education
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - General Education
  • MEd in Teaching and Learning - Secondary Education
  • EdS in Teaching and Learning
  • AA in Education
  • MEd Program Specialist - Gifted Specialist
  • MEd Program Specialist - Early Childhood Specialist
  • MEd Program Specialist - Math Specialist
  • MEd Program Specialist - Reading Specialist
Click here for information about Liberty  
Western Governors University Online Campus 
  • BA in Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • MA in Teaching - Science (5-9 or 5-12)
  • MA in Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • MA in Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)
  • BA in Social Science (5-12)
  • MA in Teaching - Social Science (5-12)
  • MEd - Instructional Design
  • MS in Special Education
  • MS in Educational Leadership
  • BA in Special Education
  • BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation (K-8)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Science (5-9 or 5-12)
  • Post-Baccalaureate in Teacher Preparation - Social Science (5-12)
  • BA in Science (5-9)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Biological Science)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Chemistry)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Geosciences)
  • BA in Science (5-12 Physics)
  • MA in Science Education (5-9)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Biological Science)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Chemistry)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Geosciences)
  • MA in Science Education (5-12 Physics)
  • Endorsement Prep Program in ELL (PK-12)
  • MA in English Language Learning (PK-12)
  • MEd - Learning and Technology
  • MEd - Measurement and Evaluation
  • BA in Early Childhood Education (Birth through Grade 3)
  • Endorsement Preparation Program in Educational Leadership
Click here for information about Western Governors  
Grand Canyon University Online Campus 
  • BS in Secondary Education - English
  • BS in Secondary Education - Math
  • BS in Secondary Education - Social Studies
  • MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Reading
  • MEd in Education Administration - Organizational Leadership
  • MEd in Education Administration - School Leadership
  • MEd in Elementary Education
  • MEd in Elementary Education
  • MEd in Secondary Education
  • MEd in Secondary Education
  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in Special Education
  • MEd in Special Education - Certified Special Educators
  • MEd in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
  • BS in Elementary Education - English
  • BS in Elementary Education - Science
  • BS in Elementary Education - Math
  • BS in Elementary Education / Special Education
  • BS in Secondary Education - Business Education
  • BS in Elementary Education - Early Childhood
  • MEd in Curriculum & Instruction - Technology
  • MA in Teaching
  • MEd in Education Administration
  • Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Behavioral Health
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Effective Schools
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Higher Education Leadership
  • EdD in Organizational Leadership - Instructional Leadership
  • BA in English Literature
  • BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
  • BA in History
  • Continuing Teacher Education Courses
Click here for information about Grand Canyon  

Talk About Salaries in Illinois

3 Comments

Elena90 at 08:27 PM on 01/10/09


How is the need for Spanish teachers in areas like O'fallon, fairview heigths or Edwarsville? thanks,

drp2172000 at 08:24 PM on 01/30/09


Does anyone know how difficult it is for special education teachers to transfer in from Missouri? Also is there a need for Special education teachers (secondary)?

jbryant at 12:54 PM on 04/10/09


I teach Special Ed. in St. Charles, IL. There is a need in the chicago suburbs. I am not sure how well the certification rolls over, or what kind of hoops you have to jump through, but there is a need. Search chicago's surrounding county education websites, like Kane, Dupage, Cook, and Lake county. They will have links to twosn and schools within them.



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