Teacher Salary in Texas: $66K Median

The average Teacher salary in Texas is $66,443 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $49,786 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $104,264 (90th percentile). Texas has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.

Teachers in Texas earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($65,140 nationally vs $66,443 in Texas). Texas's cost-of-living index of 93 amplifies the real purchasing power.

Yes — Teacher salaries in Texas grew approximately 300.0% year-over-year, from $16,611 in 2025 to $66,443 in 2026. This reflects the broader Education sector's wage growth, driven by Special education and ESL/ELL demand.

Top-paying Texas metros for Teachers: Houston ($68K), Dallas ($68K), Austin ($75K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.

Teacher demand stable nationally with severe shortages in special education, ESL, math, and science. Many districts offer signing bonuses up to $10K. Texas's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Tech, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.

No, Texas has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $66,443, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).

Hottest 2026 skills: Special education, ESL/ELL, EdTech tools, STEM/STEAM, Trauma-informed teaching. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Texas employers.

With my [specialty] endorsement and master's, I should be placed at step X on the salary schedule. Can you also confirm the signing-bonus and loan-forgiveness eligibility in writing? Beyond base, negotiate: Signing bonus for shortage-area subjects ($2K-$10K), Tuition reimbursement and step credit for advanced degrees, Loan forgiveness (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness), Pension eligibility and vesting timeline. Walk-away anchor for Texas: $63,279.