Edinburg Area Teachers Lead Nation in Purchasing Power, MoneyGeek Report Finds
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From Staff Reports
Edinburg, TX, December 11, 2023 — In a nation where many teachers struggle with low wages, the Edinburg area emerges as a place where educators have the highest purchasing power among teachers in various U.S. metropolitan areas. Texas cities took four of the top five spots.
According to a recent report by personal finance firm MoneyGeek, Edinburg metro area educators have an average annual salary of $73,153, with an adjusted take-home pay of $68,271 after factoring in taxes and the cost of living.
The report indicated that the Edinburg metro area surpassed other cities, offering teachers the best real income. MoneyGeek’s analysis includes combined average salaries for K-12, postsecondary, preschool, substitute, and self-enrichment teachers. The ranking places Edinburg at the top, emphasizing the city’s commitment to supporting its educators.
Top US Metros for Adjusted Teacher Salaries
- Edinburg-McAllen-Mission, TX
Take-Home Pay: $68,271 Average Annual Salary: $73,153
2. Auburn-Opelika, AL
Take-Home Pay: $66,080 Average Annual Salary: $85,617
3. El Paso, TX
Take-Home Pay: $65,260 Average Annual Salary: $74,846
4. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
Take-Home Pay: $65,198 Average Annual Salary: $79,310
5. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
Take-Home Pay: $64,031 Average Annual Salary: $76,777
The national average salary for public school teachers for the 2022-23 school year is $68,469, according to the National Education Association (NEA). However, when adjusted for inflation, this average has declined by 6.4% over the past decade, as stated in the NEA’s annual Rankings and Estimates report.
Despite cities like New York City boasting the highest average salary of $101,068, the take-home pay drops significantly to $57,781 after considering income tax and living expenses. MoneyGeek’s report emphasizes the importance of considering the real income of educators, particularly in high-cost metropolitan areas.
Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, fared the worst for teacher pay among the 178 metropolitan areas analyzed, with an average income of $51,778 and a take-home pay of just $22,677.
MoneyGeek conducted the analysis using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Council for Community and Economic Research.