Maine Ranks as One of the Worst States for Teachers in 2025

While our Pine Tree State is filled with amazing teachers, a recent report shows that Maine is actually one of the worst states for them to work in.

Listen, we want to be clear—we absolutely love and appreciate our hardworking teachers here in Maine, and this ranking is in no way a reflection of them or the incredible work they do every day.

👇 KEEP READING: 10 Things You’ll Quickly Find Out When Moving to Maine 👇

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So, given that, what criteria are being used to determine what makes one state better or worse for teachers than another?

WalletHub compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across two main categories— ‘Opportunity & Competition’ and ‘Academic & Work Environment’—giving more weight to factors like salary and job security. Using 24 metrics graded on a 100-point scale, they calculated a weighted average for each state to determine overall rankings in their 2025 report on the best and worst states for teachers.

Alright then, moving forward—according to WalletHub, where does Maine rank for teachers in 2025, and how do we stack up?

According to WalletHub and their recent report highlighting the ‘Best & Worst States for Teachers (2025),’ Maine ranked 48th overall (out of 51, including the 50 states and Washington, D.C.), 50th in Opportunity & Competition, and 18th in Academic & Work Environment.

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WalletHub continues by noting that only New Hampshire, Montana, and Hawaii placed lower overall in the rankings.

Additionally, Maine ranked near the bottom in two other key categories, coming in 50th for lowest annual salaries (adjusted for cost of living) and 3rd lowest in pupil-teacher ratio.

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And there you have it! Unfortunately, Maine ranked near the bottom, making it one of the worst states for teachers in 2025.

What are your thoughts on this report from WalletHub? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

10 Things You’ll Quickly Find Out When Moving to Maine

Really, it doesn’t matter where you’re moving from—if you’re ‘from away’ and coming to our Pine Tree State, there are a few things you’ll quickly discover that locals have always known. Whether you’ve just arrived or are only thinking about making the move, these are the things you’ll learn fast when settling into life in Maine.

Gallery Credit: Jordan Verge