Maryland Teacher Salary and Benefits
Maryland teachers earn a median annual salary ranging from $75,910 for kindergarten teachers to $78,670 for secondary teachers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Starting salaries are set to reach $60,000 statewide by 2026 under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Teachers also receive pension benefits through the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System and school-district health insurance.
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Maryland teacher salary and benefits figures rank among the strongest in the country, and state law is pushing pay even further. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future sets a $60,000 minimum starting salary for every teacher in the state, closing a gap that once left new teachers in some counties earning $15,000 less. Combined with a pension system, subsidized health coverage, and a career ladder for advancement, Maryland’s compensation package is built to keep experienced teachers in the classroom.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future: A $60,000 Starting Salary
Maryland’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, passed to overhaul the state’s public education system, requires every school system to pay new teachers at least $60,000 a year starting in 2026. The policy also creates a teacher career ladder, giving teachers a structured path to higher pay and leadership roles without leaving the classroom.
Teachers who earn National Board Certification can receive incentive pay of up to $17,000 annually under the Blueprint. The law also raises the rigor of teacher preparation and induction programs and restructures the school day to build in time for peer collaboration and professional learning.
Since the Blueprint passed, certificated staff salaries have risen by roughly 15% statewide, according to the Maryland State Education Association.
Maryland Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teacher pay in Maryland varies by grade level and experience. The table below shows May 2025 wage data across the state.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | 90th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $75,910 | $108,360 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $77,680 | $107,040 |
| Middle School Teachers | $78,510 | $115,540 |
| High School Teachers | $78,670 | $102,690 |
Every grade band in Maryland outpaces the national median. Nationally, elementary school teachers earned a median of $63,970 and high school teachers earned $72,040 as of May 2025, according to the BLS, putting Maryland’s figures well above average.
Job Outlook for Maryland Teachers
Maryland’s teacher job market looks steadier than the national trend. The BLS projects a national decline in elementary and middle school teaching jobs through 2034, but Maryland’s own labor projections point the other way.
Maryland expects elementary school teacher employment to grow from 34,480 to 34,700 positions between 2024 and 2034, with about 2,320 average annual openings from growth, retirements, and turnover. Middle school teaching positions are projected to grow from 16,850 to 16,950, and secondary school teaching positions from 19,300 to 19,480 over the same period, according to the Maryland Department of Labor.
Retiring in Maryland
Created in 1972, the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS) was originally envisioned as a retirement benefit program simply for teachers. Today, the SRPS covers not only teachers, but also all state employees.
Providing close to 200,000 state employees with lifetime retirement payments requires adequate funding. To keep the system strong for both current and future teachers, you’ll contribute a portion of your monthly salary toward retirement.
Teachers in Maryland contribute 7% of their salaries to the system. Employers contribute too, at a combined rate of 17.98% for the 2027 fiscal year, split between the Maryland State Department of Education and local boards of education. The state’s Board of Trustees sets this employer rate annually, so it can shift year to year. Your own contributions are automatically deducted from your paychecks and go into an account where they accrue 5% interest annually.
Once you reach normal retirement age and terminate employment, you become eligible to receive payments from this fund. Retirement eligibility depends on which pension plan you’re enrolled in, which is determined by your hire date. Teachers hired on or after July 1, 2011, fall under the Reformed Contributory Pension Benefit plan and reach full retirement eligibility under the “Rule of 90,” or at age 65 with at least 10 years of eligibility service. Teachers hired before that date are enrolled in different plans with their own eligibility rules, so confirm your specific plan with the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.
Under the Rule of 90, you’re eligible for retirement once your age and years of service together equal 90. For example, if you worked for 30 years, you’d also need to be at least 60 years old. Early retirement is also available at age 60 with at least 15 years of eligibility service, though the benefit is reduced.
Your monthly retirement benefit is calculated using a formula that’s subject to change. Currently, you can estimate your likely benefit with the following formula:
1.5% multiplied by Average Final Compensation multiplied by Years of Service
For example, if you retire after 25 years of service with an average final salary of $45,000, you’d receive a monthly allowance of $1,406.
To learn more about retirement benefits offered to teachers in Maryland, contact the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.
Health Insurance Benefits for Maryland Teachers
In Maryland, health insurance benefits are managed at the school district level. While exact options vary, nearly all school districts provide teachers with coverage, and most offer several plans so teachers can pick one suited to their needs. Schools typically pay a portion of insurance premiums, keeping costs relatively low.
Whether you’re insuring yourself or your family, Maryland teacher health plans typically cover:
- Well-child visits
- Immunizations
- Preventive prescription drugs
- Screenings and counseling
- Prenatal care
- Contraception
- Inpatient care
- Outpatient care
Contact your local school district to learn about the specific plans and costs you’ll face as a teacher in Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do teachers make in Maryland?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maryland teachers earn a median annual salary between $75,910 (kindergarten) and $78,670 (high school) as of May 2025. Top earners in some grade bands make over $115,000 a year.
What is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future?
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a state law overhauling public education funding and teacher compensation. It sets a $60,000 minimum starting salary statewide beginning in 2026, creates a teacher career ladder, and offers incentive pay of up to $17,000 for National Board Certification.
How does the Maryland teacher retirement system work?
Maryland teachers contribute 7% of their salary to the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, while employers contribute at a rate set annually (17.98% combined for fiscal year 2027). Teachers hired on or after July 1, 2011, become eligible for full retirement under the “Rule of 90,” when age plus years of service equal 90, or at age 65 with 10 years of service. Eligibility rules differ for teachers hired earlier.
Is teacher employment growing in Maryland?
Yes. While national projections show a slight decline in some K-12 teaching occupations through 2034, Maryland’s own labor projections show growth in elementary, middle, and secondary teaching positions over the same period.
What health insurance do Maryland teachers get?
Health insurance for Maryland teachers is managed at the school district level. Most districts offer multiple plan options covering well-child visits, immunizations, prenatal care, and inpatient and outpatient care, with schools covering a portion of the premium.
- Maryland pays above the national median — every grade band from kindergarten through high school earns more than the national teacher salary median, according to BLS data.
- The Blueprint sets a $60,000 salary floor — starting in 2026, every Maryland teacher earns at least $60,000, with incentive pay available for National Board Certification.
- State job growth bucks the national trend — Maryland projects growth in elementary, middle, and secondary teaching jobs through 2034, even as some national projections decline.
- Retirement contributions are shared — teachers contribute 7% of salary, while employers contribute at a rate set annually by the SRPS Board of Trustees (17.98% combined for fiscal year 2027).
- Health coverage is set at the district level — plan options and costs vary by school district, so check with your local district for specifics.
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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.
