Maine again ranks among the worst states for teachers, study says
Courtesy / WalletHub
For another year, Maine ranks as one of the country’s worst states for professionals in education.
Financial website WalletHub puts Maine No. 49 in a comparison of the states and the District of Columbia as the “best” places for teachers. Only D.C. and New Hampshire were lower, at Nos. 50 and 51 respectively.
In a more specific WalletHub evaluation of states with the best “opportunity and competition” for teachers, Maine ranked No. 50.
WalletHub’s annual ranking is based on 24 criteria, ranging this year from the average starting salary for educators to their average pension to the average public spending per pupil.
In 2020, Maine was No. 48 overall, ahead of Arizona, New Mexico and New Hampshire. That rank represented a large decline from 2019, when Maine placed No. 42.
However, the Pine Tree State fares better when it comes to the category of “academic and work environment,” which looks at factors such as the quality of public schools and the existence of a digital learning plan. This year, Maine ranks No. 15 in that area, up from No. 18 in 2020.
The top three states for teachers in 2021, according to WalletHub, are New York, Utah and Washington, respectively.
For more information and the complete rankings, click here.
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This score report provides an opportunity for Maine to bring the teacher/workforce quality lagging for years to match the student results and experience by increasing pay.
Maine, for teachers, is a start my career state. Wages are low, many opportunities to specialize, experience with a largely middle class, white student population. After five years you shop outside the state for a more suitable placement and professional allignment.
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