Kansas Teacher Salary and Benefits Guide
Kansas teacher salary figures range from a median annual wage of $61,330 to $64,320 depending on grade level, according to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Pay rises with years of experience and education level through each district’s own salary schedule. Every Kansas teacher also gains access to the state’s KPERS pension system and district group health insurance.
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Most people researching Kansas teaching jobs spend their time on certification requirements and exam dates, not on what happens after the paycheck lands. That’s a mistake. Kansas pairs a district salary schedule with a defined-benefit pension and group health coverage, and together those three pieces shape your total compensation more than any single number does.
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in Kansas.
If you’re already licensed, keep track of Kansas teacher certification renewal requirements so your credential stays active, and if you hold a license from another state, review Kansas’s reciprocity agreements before assuming it transfers automatically.
Kansas Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas teacher salary figures broke down to the following median annual wages as of May 2025:
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $61,600 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $61,330 |
| Middle School Teachers | $64,320 |
| High School Teachers | $64,160 |
Kansas pays below the national median at every grade level. Nationally, the BLS puts median pay at $63,970 for elementary teachers and $72,040 for high school teachers as of May 2025, so the gap is widest at the secondary level. Cost of living in most of the state runs well below the national average, which narrows the practical difference somewhat, but it’s worth knowing before you compare offers from other states.
Individual district pay depends on where you land on that district’s salary schedule, which combines two variables: years of experience (the “step”) and education level (the “lane”). Steps advance automatically each year you teach. Lanes only move when you complete additional graduate coursework and submit transcripts to your district’s HR office, typically at thresholds like BA+15, BA+30, or a master’s degree. A district’s specific schedule, and how much a lane change is worth, varies enough that it’s worth requesting the current pay scale directly from any district you’re considering.
Retirement Benefits Through KPERS
Kansas enrolls its teachers in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS), a defined-benefit pension that pays out for life once you qualify. Your specific KPERS tier, and the rules that apply to you, depend on when you first became a member. New hires are generally enrolled under the current KPERS tier, while teachers who joined the system years ago may still fall under an earlier tier with different rules. Retirement eligibility, contribution rates, and benefit formulas all vary by tier, so KPERS is the authoritative source for the age, service, and salary requirements that apply to your specific membership.
KPERS serves hundreds of thousands of members statewide and is funded through a combination of employee and employer contributions. KPERS sets employee contribution rates that depend on your retirement tier and applicable state law, and the benefit formula used to calculate your eventual monthly pension varies in the same way. Some Kansas retirees may also qualify for group life insurance or a beneficiary death benefit through KPERS. However, eligibility and amounts depend on tier and can change with state law, so confirm current figures directly with KPERS before relying on them.
For the contribution rate, benefit formula, and eligibility requirements for your specific tier, contact KPERS directly.
Health Insurance and Other Employee Benefits
Kansas school districts compete for teaching candidates partly on the strength of their health benefits, and most offer medical, dental, and vision coverage as a package. The specifics, including network choice and how much of the premium the district covers, vary enough between districts that it’s worth comparing benefits packages alongside salary when you’re weighing job offers.
Despite those differences, most district health plans cover a similar core set of services:
- Physician office visits
- X-ray services
- Routine preventative care
- Mammograms
- Routine vision care
- Inpatient hospital services
- Emergency room services
- Urgent care
Ask about these specifics directly with any district you’re interviewing with, since plan design is set at the district level rather than statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average teacher salary in Kansas?
Kansas teacher pay varies by grade level. According to the BLS, median annual pay as of May 2025 ranged from $61,330 for elementary teachers to $64,320 for middle school teachers, with kindergarten and high school teachers falling in between.
How much do Kansas teachers make with a master’s degree?
Earning a master’s degree moves a teacher into a higher “lane” on their district’s salary schedule, which increases pay independent of years of experience. The exact dollar increase varies by district, so check the specific salary schedule published by the district you’re applying to.
Does Kansas offer a teacher pension?
Yes. Kansas teachers are enrolled in KPERS, a defined-benefit pension. Eligibility age, service requirements, and the benefit formula all depend on which KPERS tier you belong to, which is determined by when you first became a member. Check with KPERS directly for the requirements that apply to your specific tier.
What health insurance do Kansas teachers get?
Most Kansas districts offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, though the specific plan design, network, and premium cost-sharing are set at the district level rather than statewide.
How does teacher pay increase over time in Kansas?
Pay increases through two mechanisms: automatic “step” increases for each year of experience, and “lane” increases when a teacher completes additional graduate coursework or earns an advanced degree.
- Kansas pays below the national median — BLS figures show Kansas teachers earning less than the national median at every grade level, with the widest gap at the high school level.
- Pay follows a step-and-lane structure — years of experience and education level both drive salary increases, and district schedules vary in how much each lane change is worth.
- KPERS provides a defined-benefit pension — eligibility age, contribution rates, and the benefit formula all depend on your specific KPERS tier, so check directly with KPERS for the rules that apply to you.
- Health benefits are set at the district level — most districts offer medical, dental, and vision coverage, but plan design and cost-sharing vary enough to be worth comparing directly.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Kansas, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
