Average Elementary School Teacher Salary in TexasNo State Income Tax

Texas is one of the largest employers of elementary school teachers in the United States — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data consistently places Texas among the top two or three states for total teacher employment. The salary figures on this page reflect the most recent BLS release, reviewed for the 2025–2026 period. Texas teacher pay typically falls in the mid-to-upper-$50,000s statewide, modestly below the national median in nominal terms, but two structural advantages distinguish Texas from higher-gross states: there is no Texas state income tax, and the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) provides a defined-benefit pension that materially raises lifetime earnings well beyond base salary.

Teacher compensation in Texas is shaped by the Texas Minimum Salary Schedule, which sets a statutory floor by years of experience — but the floor is exactly that: a minimum. Large urban and suburban districts far exceed it. Houston ISD, Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, Austin ISD, Katy ISD, Frisco ISD, and Plano ISD all maintain their own supplemental salary schedules that push pay significantly above the state minimum, particularly for experienced teachers and those with advanced degrees. The Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston metros consistently lead the state on teacher pay. The absence of a state income tax makes the real take-home value of a Texas teacher salary meaningfully stronger than the BLS nominal figure alone: a teacher earning $58,000 in Texas retains roughly $2,900–$5,800 per year more than a teacher earning the same gross in a 5–10% state income tax state. TRS vests after five years of service and pays a defined monthly benefit for life, representing substantial lifetime compensation that annual salary comparisons miss entirely.

Regional variation is significant. The Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston suburbs (Katy, Frisco, Plano, Lewisville, McKinney, Humble, Cy-Fair) pay at the top of the state range — experienced teachers at large suburban districts can earn $65,000–$75,000 or more. Austin ISD and Round Rock ISD follow closely. San Antonio and El Paso pay close to or slightly below the state average. Rural West Texas and the Rio Grande Valley sit near the state floor, though lower living costs partially offset the gap. Every Texas teacher must hold a certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), which requires a bachelor's degree, completion of an approved educator preparation program, and passing the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). High-need shortage areas — special education, STEM, bilingual education — sometimes carry additional state or district signing bonuses.