Illinois ranked 3rd best state for teachers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WRSP) — World Teachers' Day is just around the corner and now the personal-finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2017's Best & Worst States for Teachers.

WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 21 key metrics, ranging from teachers' income growth potential to pupil-teacher ratio to teacher safety.

Best States for Teachers

1New York4

2New Jersey

3Illinois

4Connecticut

5Pennsylvania

6Minnesota

7Massachusetts

8Wyoming

9Ohio

10Oregon

Best vs. Worst

Wyoming has the highest average starting salary for teachers (adjusted for cost of living), $47,185, which is 1.9 times higher than in Hawaii, the state with the lowest at $24,508.

Michigan has the highest average annual salary for public-school teachers (adjusted for cost of living), $70,327, which is two times higher than in Hawaii, the state with the lowest at $34,308.

Arizona has the lowest projected number of teachers per 1,000 students by year 2024 (indicating the size of competition), 26.59, which is 3.5 times lower than in Maryland, the state with the highest at 93.32.

Vermont has the lowest pupil-teacher ratio, 10.55, which is 2.2 times lower than in California, the state with the highest at 23.58.

Vermont has the highest public-school spending per student, $24,421, which is 3.7 times higher than in Idaho, the state with the lowest at $6,515.

To view the full report and your state or the District's rank, visit:

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-states-for-teachers/7159/