Idaho Teacher Salary and Benefits
The average Idaho teacher salary varies by grade band: elementary school teachers earn a median annual salary of $61,600 while kindergarten teachers earn $62,240, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Idaho teachers also receive PERSI pension benefits and state group health insurance through their school district.
Sponsored School(s)
Idaho’s nickname, the Gem State, comes from the sheer variety of gemstones discovered within its borders. For teachers, the more practical draw is what happens after the school day ends: a defined benefit pension through the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI), state-sponsored health coverage, and a salary that varies by grade level and school district.
Every state sets its own pay scale, retirement system, and health benefits for public school teachers, and Idaho’s structure has changed in real ways over the past few years. PERSI created a distinct contribution class for school employees in 2022, and state lawmakers have raised the minimum teacher salary more than once since. Here’s what currently applies if you teach in Idaho. If you’re already licensed elsewhere, Idaho’s teacher certification reciprocity process outlines what transfers and what doesn’t.
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in Idaho. Once you’re certified, staying current means renewing on schedule, so check Idaho’s teacher certification renewal requirements well before your license expires.
Idaho Teacher Salary by Grade Level
BLS data shows Idaho elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $61,600 as of May 2025, compared to $63,970 nationally. Kindergarten teachers in Idaho earned a median of $62,240, close to the $62,680 national median. Middle school teachers earned $60,930 in Idaho versus $64,370 nationally, and secondary (high school) teachers earned $61,690 in Idaho compared to $72,040 nationally, the widest gap of the four grade bands.
Experience, district budget, and local pay scales all move these numbers. Idaho’s highest-paid elementary teachers, at the 90th percentile, earned $80,710 annually, and high school teachers at the same percentile earned $91,620, according to BLS state wage data.
| Idaho Occupation | Median Annual | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $62,240 | $81,240 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $61,600 | $80,710 |
| Middle School Teachers | $60,930 | $79,070 |
| Secondary (High) School Teachers | $61,690 | $91,620 |
| Occupation | Idaho Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $62,240 | $62,680 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $61,600 | $63,970 |
| Middle School Teachers | $60,930 | $64,370 |
| Secondary (High) School Teachers | $61,690 | $72,040 |
Idaho has also raised its statutory minimum teacher salary several times in recent years, which has pushed starting pay upward in many districts. BLS wage data reflects statewide averages rather than district-specific pay scales, so check with a prospective district directly for its current salary schedule and career ladder placement.
Retirement Benefits Through PERSI
Idaho teachers are enrolled in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho, or PERSI, a defined benefit pension plan. PERSI created a separate contribution class for school employees in 2022, replacing the flat rate that previously applied to teachers and general state employees alike.
Contribution Rates
As of PERSI’s most recent rate change, effective April 1, 2025, the school-employee contribution rate is 8.08% of salary for the employee, with the employing school district contributing 13.48%. These rates replaced the flat 6.23% employee and 10.39% employer contributions that applied to teachers before PERSI created a separate school-employee class in 2022. Contribution rates are reviewed annually by the PERSI Board, so confirm the current rate for your contract year directly with PERSI.
How Your Benefit Is Calculated
PERSI calculates your monthly benefit using the same formula regardless of contribution class:
Average Monthly Salary
multiplied by
2%
multiplied by
Months of Service Credit
divided by
12
Retirement Eligibility
You qualify for an unreduced PERSI benefit once your age and years of service credit add up to 90 under PERSI’s “Rule of 90,” or once you turn 65 regardless of years served. A teacher retiring at 60 with 30 years of service meets the Rule of 90 just as one retiring at 55 with 35 years would. Retiring earlier, as young as 55 with at least 5 years of vested service, is possible but reduces your monthly benefit.
As of PERSI’s 2023 reporting, more than 54,000 retirees were drawing benefits statewide, with an average monthly benefit of roughly $1,817. Check PERSI’s website for more current annual figures, since these numbers update each year.
The Choice Plan
Alongside the mandatory Base Plan, PERSI offers an optional Choice 401(k) Plan that lets you contribute additional pre-tax dollars from your salary into an investment account. Unlike the Base Plan, Choice Plan funds are self-directed, and you can withdraw them as a lump sum or in monthly payments to supplement your Base Plan benefit once you retire.
Health Insurance Benefits
The Idaho Office of Group Insurance (OGI) administers the state’s group health plan, which covers state agencies, political subdivisions, and school districts that choose to participate. Since a 2022 law expanded state funding for teacher health coverage, more school districts have opted their teachers into the state plan rather than sourcing insurance independently, though participation is still district by district. Confirm directly with your school district’s HR office whether it uses the state OGI plan or a separate provider.
Coverage typically extends past the teacher to include a spouse and any children under 26, so a family is covered for unexpected medical needs. Plans generally include:
- Immunizations
- Physician Office Visits
- Maternity Services
- Hospital Services
- Laboratory and X-Ray Services
- Ambulance
- Prescription Drug Coverage
Most plans also offer optional dental and vision coverage for an additional cost. Exact premiums and coverage tiers vary by district and plan year, so check with your employing school district for current numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average teacher salary in Idaho?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Idaho’s median annual teacher salary ranges from about $60,930 for middle school teachers to $62,240 for kindergarten teachers, as of May 2025. Actual pay depends on your district’s salary schedule, your placement on the career ladder, and your years of experience.
How does PERSI retirement work for Idaho teachers?
PERSI is a defined benefit pension plan that pays a monthly benefit based on your average monthly salary, a 2% multiplier, and your months of service credit. Idaho teachers contribute a percentage of their salary to the Base Plan, with their school district contributing an additional percentage, and can also opt into the supplemental Choice 401(k) Plan.
When can Idaho teachers retire with full PERSI benefits?
You get an unreduced benefit once your age plus years of service credit total 90, known as the Rule of 90, or once you reach age 65 regardless of service length. Retiring earlier reduces your monthly benefit.
Do Idaho teachers get health insurance through the state?
Many do. The Idaho Office of Group Insurance administers a state health plan that school districts can opt their teachers into, though some districts still source coverage independently. Check with your district’s HR office to see which option applies to you.
Does teacher pay vary by school district in Idaho?
Yes. BLS wage data reflects statewide averages, but individual districts set their own salary schedules and career ladder placements, and Idaho has raised its statutory minimum teacher salary multiple times in recent years. Ask a specific district for its current salary schedule if you’re comparing offers.
- Salary varies by grade band and district — BLS state data puts Idaho’s median teacher pay between $60,930 and $62,240 depending on grade level, with district salary schedules adding further variation.
- PERSI created a school-employee contribution class in 2022 — teachers now contribute and accrue benefits under different rates than general state employees.
- The Rule of 90 governs full retirement eligibility — your age plus years of service credit must total 90 for an unreduced benefit, or you can wait until age 65 regardless of service.
- Health coverage now runs through two possible paths — some districts use the state’s Office of Group Insurance plan, while others still arrange coverage independently.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Idaho, 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.
