Illinois: education overview
Average teacher salary $78,495 (2024-25), #13 of 51. Source
Public vs private schools
| Public | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Schools | 4,408 | 1,230 |
| Students | 1,842,881 | 223,200 |
| Share of students | 89% | 11% |
Latest federal counts; public and private figures come from different school years, so the share is approximate.
Schools 2022-23Students 2024-25Teachers 2022-23Districts 2021-22
Students, teachers, districts
- Public school districts
- 857
- Public school teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 135,363
- Public school students
- 1,842,881
Schools 2022-23Students 2024-25Teachers 2022-23Districts 2021-22
How teacher pay is structured
Illinois has separate elementary and high school districts alongside unified unit districts; CPS is unified K–12 and uses one collectively bargained teacher schedule across grades. Each employer generally bargains its own pay schedule, subject to the state minimum salary law rather than a common statewide step schedule. High school districts often appear among the highest-paying districts in ISBE-based rankings, but that is not an automatic high-school premium within a unified district.
Separate high school districts: yesStatewide salary schedule: minimumSource
For prospective educators
You'd be a good fit if you're open to comparing many separate elementary, high school, and unit districts — high school districts often pay at the top — and want strong local contracts.
A general summary, not advice. Pay and conditions vary by district.