LIST: Which MN School Districts Pay Teachers The Most?

ST. PAUL, MN — Which Minnesota school districts pay teachers the most?

State data from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board gives residents a district-by-district look at average licensed teacher salaries for the 2025-26 school year.

The numbers reflect average licensed teacher salaries by district. See the full list here.

They are not starting salaries, and they do not show individual teacher pay. Actual salaries can vary based on experience, education level, contract terms, additional duties and other factors.

The statewide average licensed teacher salary is $77,655 for 2025-26.

Here are the 25 traditional public school districts with the highest average licensed teacher salaries in the 2025-26 state report:

1. Wayzata Public School District: $97,588
2. Saint Paul Public Schools: $97,288
3. South Washington County Schools: $95,656
4. Stillwater Area Public Schools: $95,039
5. Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools: $93,041
6. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley Public Schools: $92,775
7. Minnetonka Public School District: $92,249
8. Elk River Public School District: $91,834
9. Orono Public School District: $90,780
10. North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Schools: $90,569
11. Shakopee Public School District: $89,296
12. Edina Public School District: $88,879
13. St. Louis Park Public School District: $88,259
14. Eastern Carver County Public School District: $88,188
15. Bloomington Public Schools: $88,158
16. Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools: $87,846
17. Osseo Public School District: $86,126
18. Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools: $86,076
19. Roseville Public School District: $86,023
20. White Bear Lake School District: $85,893
21. Hibbing Public School District: $85,529
22. Cloquet Public School District: $84,768
23. Fridley Public School District: $84,675
24. Eden Prairie Public School District: $83,859
25. Minneapolis Public School District: $83,576

Wayzata topped the list again this year, edging out Saint Paul Public Schools, which jumped up from third place a year ago.

Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, a small district on the South Dakota border, was the only district from outside the Twin Cities metro to crack the top six, ahead of several well-known suburban districts.

The report also includes salary averages for superintendents and principals.