Illinois ranks 24 among U.S. states for teacher starting salary

Illinois ranks 24 among U.S. states for teacher starting salary

Illinois ranks 24 among U.S. states for teacher starting salaries, with an average starting salary of $43,515 in 2024, according to the National Education Association (NEA). However, this falls short of the state's minimum living wage of $63,247, leaving many educators struggling financially despite their professional qualifications.Despite public perception that teaching provides stable middle-class wages, data from the Economic Policy Institut…