Wisconsin Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Wisconsin teacher salary figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a median annual wage of $61,210 for elementary teachers as of May 2025, with kindergarten, middle, and high school teachers earning similar figures. Beyond the paycheck, Wisconsin teachers build retirement savings through the Wisconsin Retirement System and gain access to district-sponsored health insurance starting in their first year in the classroom.
Sponsored School(s)
Wisconsin pairs solid starting pay with one of the more structured pension systems in the Midwest. The Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and district-sponsored health insurance plans round out a teacher’s total compensation well beyond the paycheck, and understanding both pieces early makes it easier to plan for the years ahead. If you’re licensed in another state, check Wisconsin’s teacher reciprocity agreements before you compare offers, since your path into a Wisconsin classroom may be faster than starting from scratch.
How Much Do Teachers Make in Wisconsin?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin’s median annual wages by grade level as of May 2025 were:
| Grade Level | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $59,350 | $72,090 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $61,210 | $76,820 |
| Middle School Teachers | $61,960 | $76,510 |
| Secondary (High) School Teachers | $62,870 | $77,420 |
Pay climbs with both experience and additional coursework in most Wisconsin districts, and teachers who complete a master’s degree typically move to a higher salary lane on the district pay schedule. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in Wisconsin to compare accredited pathways before you apply.
Wisconsin’s Teacher Job Outlook Through 2034
Wisconsin teacher salary data doesn’t tell the whole story on its own. Nationally, the BLS projects a slight decline in teacher employment through 2034, but Wisconsin bucks that trend across every grade level. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s employment projections show elementary school teacher positions growing from 30,680 to 30,810 between 2024 and 2034, with about 2,060 average annual openings from retirements and turnover. Secondary school teaching positions show the strongest growth in the state at 0.8 percent, while kindergarten, middle, and elementary teaching roles each post modest gains as well.
Retiring in Wisconsin
As you begin your career as a teacher in Wisconsin, you enroll in a retirement plan through the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). In the WRS, you contribute to a general retirement fund that helps you live comfortably in older age.
To receive a retirement annuity, members generally must be at least age 55 and vested, typically five years of creditable service for newer participants.
You contribute a percentage of your salary to your pension fund, and your employer matches it. The exact employee and employer contribution rates are adjusted annually, so check the current rate with the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) before budgeting around it.
Your retirement benefit generally isn’t paid as a lump sum. Instead, you receive a monthly pension based on a formula. The formula benefit is:
Years of Service
times
Final Average Monthly Earnings
times
Formula Factor(s)
- Years of Service – your total creditable years of WRS service
- Final Average Monthly Earnings – the average of your highest three years of service
- Formula Factor(s) – a percentage based on when your creditable employment took place
To estimate your monthly retirement benefit, use the WRS retirement calculator.
Access to Affordable Health Insurance
Health insurance benefits differ by school district. Virtually all Wisconsin public school districts offer health insurance to eligible teachers, although eligibility rules, premiums, and plan options vary by district.
Most districts offer a choice of plans through several health insurance companies. You’ll pay a monthly premium based on the plan you choose and how many dependents you cover, and it will be deducted automatically from your salary.
Every plan carries a set deductible and covers a percentage of medical services. Most plans cover the majority of these charges:
- Hospital Charges
- Surgical Services
- Emergency Medical Care
- X-ray and Laboratory Testing
- Oral Surgery
- Ambulance Services
Many districts also offer dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, although available benefits vary by employer. Depending on the district and the program, you’re either automatically enrolled or need to sign up voluntarily.
If you want specifics on health insurance benefits for Wisconsin teachers, contact your local school district directly. Once you’re licensed and working, keep track of your renewal timeline. See Wisconsin teacher certification renewal requirements so your license stays current alongside your pay and benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average teacher salary in Wisconsin?
As of May 2025, the median annual wage ranged from $59,350 for kindergarten teachers to $62,870 for secondary school teachers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by district, experience, and education level.
Do Wisconsin teachers get a pension?
Yes. Wisconsin teachers are enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a defined-benefit pension plan. Benefits are calculated using years of service, final average monthly earnings, and a formula factor set by the state.
How much do Wisconsin teachers contribute to their retirement?
Both teachers and their employers contribute a percentage of salary to the WRS each year. The exact split is adjusted annually, so check the current rate with the Department of Employee Trust Funds before you calculate take-home pay.
What health insurance benefits do Wisconsin teachers receive?
Virtually all Wisconsin public school districts offer health insurance to eligible teachers, typically with a choice of plans and a payroll-deducted premium. However, eligibility rules and plan options vary by district. Many districts also offer dental, vision, and disability coverage.
Is teacher employment growing in Wisconsin?
Yes, unlike the slight national decline projected by the BLS, Wisconsin’s employment projections show modest growth for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary teachers between 2024 and 2034, with secondary teaching positions growing the fastest at 0.8 percent.
- Median pay ranges from $59,350 to $62,870 — Wisconsin’s median annual teacher salaries by grade level, per BLS data as of May 2025.
- The WRS is a defined-benefit pension — benefits are calculated from years of service, final average earnings, and a state-set formula factor, not a lump sum.
- Vesting takes five years — teachers must be at least 55 and have five years of service credit to draw WRS retirement benefits.
- Health insurance is district-specific — virtually all districts offer coverage, but eligibility rules, plan choices, and premiums vary by employer.
- Wisconsin bucks the national hiring trend — the state projects growth across every teaching grade level through 2034, while national projections show a slight decline.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Wisconsin, 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.
