Douglas Olsen
Student teaching is a crucial step in the path towards becoming a licensed educator, yet most student teachers don't get paid for their work. This has been identified as a significant barrier to entering the profession. However, as states across the US grapple with teacher shortages, at least seven states have started providing stipends to eligible student teachers. These states include Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The stipends range from $3,000 to $22,000, with Maryland offering the highest stipend of up to $20,000. While these stipends aim to address financial barriers, there are ongoing discussions about the need for broader changes to support aspiring educators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| States that pay student teachers | Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan, Colorado, Oklahoma, Utah, Pennsylvania, Illinois |
| Highest student teacher salary | Maryland ($74,822) |
| Lowest student teacher salary | Arizona ($37,604) |
| National average salary for student teachers | $59,035 |
| National hourly pay for student teachers | $28.38 |
| Stipend amount in Oklahoma | $3,250 |
| Stipend amount in New Jersey | $3,000 |
| Stipend amount in Colorado | $11,000 for 16 weeks, $22,000 for 32 weeks |
| Stipend amount in Maryland | $20,000 |
| Stipend amount in Michigan | $9,600 |
| Stipend amount in Illinois | $10,000 |
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What You'll Learn
States with the highest and lowest student teacher salaries
Student teachers are typically not paid, but as states face teacher shortages, legislatures are passing bills to fund stipends for eligible student teachers. At least seven states have student-teacher stipend programs in place.
States with the Highest Student Teacher Stipends
- Maryland: $20,000 stipend for 10-month educator internships
- Colorado: $11,000 for a 16-week residency or $22,000 for a 32-week residency
- Illinois: up to $10,000 (proposed)
- Kentucky: up to $5,000 for permanent residents
- Michigan: $9,600
States with the Lowest Student Teacher Stipends
- Oklahoma: up to $3,250 (expired after the 2023-2024 school year)
- New Jersey: $3,000
- Pennsylvania: amount not yet specified
It's worth noting that some states, like Florida, have the highest test scores but the worst-paid teachers. Additionally, while New York has the highest pay in the nation for new teachers, with an average salary of $92,222, its salary adjusted for the cost of living is $84,218.
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States with student-teacher stipend programs
In the past, most student teachers didn't receive a salary for their work. However, as states face teacher shortages, some have begun passing laws that provide stipends for eligible student teachers. At least seven states have student-teacher stipend programs.
Maryland
Maryland passed a law in 2023 that gives student teachers stipends of up to $20,000 for their 10-month educator internships. The state's Teacher Academy of Maryland program allows students to intern in a classroom twice a week during their senior year of high school.
Kentucky
Kentucky started offering eligible student teachers who are residents of the state salaries of up to $5,000 in the 2024-2025 academic year. The state's governor, Andy Beshear, signed the bill into law in April 2024. Currently, the stipend only goes to permanent Kentucky residents, but there are efforts to expand the program's eligibility to include out-of-state students.
Colorado
Colorado began offering eligible students $11,000 for a 16-week residency or $22,000 for a 32-week residency student teaching for the 2022-2023 school year.
Michigan
Michigan started awarding student teachers $9,600 stipends in 2023.
Illinois
Illinois currently has a bill moving through the legislature that would give student teachers up to $10,000.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma began providing student teachers with a stipend of up to $3,250 beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. The program expired after the 2023-2024 school year.
New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced he was including a Student-Teacher Stipend Pilot Program in the state's budget in 2023. Through this program, the state administers $3,000 to student teachers during their clinical practice semester.
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States passing laws to address teacher shortages
With teacher shortages reaching crisis levels in many states, lawmakers are passing bills to fund stipends for eligible student teachers. At least seven states have student-teacher stipend programs.
Kentucky
Kentucky was one of the first states to pass a student-teacher stipend bill, with Governor Andy Beshear signing it into law in April 2024. Eligible student teachers in Kentucky who are permanent residents started receiving a stipend for the 2024-2025 school year. The current stipend is $5,000 per year.
New Jersey
In 2023, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a Student-Teacher Stipend Pilot Program, which provides $3,000 to student teachers during their clinical practice semester.
Maryland
Maryland lawmakers have also passed a student-teacher stipend program, offering up to $20,000 for 10-month educator internships. This is the most generous stipend offered by any state. The program is restricted to students who attend in-state institutions where at least 40% of attendees are eligible for federal Pell Grants. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a teacher preparation program and participate in an internship at a public school or publicly-funded pre-kindergarten program.
Colorado
Colorado offers eligible students $11,000 for a 16-week residency or $22,000 for a 32-week residency student teaching program. To qualify, participants must be within 250% of Pell eligibility.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the latest state to pass legislation providing funds to support student teachers.
Illinois
Illinois currently has a bill moving through the legislature that would give student teachers up to $10,000.
Other States
Oklahoma and Utah also offer student-teacher stipends. Nebraska has passed laws to make it easier for out-of-state educators and military spouses to obtain teaching certificates. Kansas has joined the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, making it easier for teachers to transfer their licenses from other states.
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States with bills to support student teachers
As states face teacher shortages, legislatures are passing bills funding stipends to qualifying student teachers. At least seven states have student-teacher stipend programs. Here are some states with bills to support student teachers:
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the latest state to pass legislation providing funds to support student teachers.
Illinois
Illinois currently has a bill moving through the legislature that would give student teachers up to $10,000.
Maryland
Maryland is one of the seven states to pass legislation creating a student-teacher stipend program. Eligible students are awarded a $20,000 annual stipend over 10 months. The six-year pilot program is restricted to students who attend in-state institutions where at least 40% of the attendees are eligible to receive federal Pell Grants.
Colorado
Colorado started offering eligible students $11,000 for a 16-week residency or $22,000 for a 32-week residency student teaching for the 2022-2023 school year.
Kentucky
Kentucky started giving student teachers who are residents of the state salaries of up to $5,000 in the 2024-2025 academic year.
New Jersey
New Jersey has a Student-Teacher Stipend Pilot Program in the state’s budget. Through this program, the state’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority administers $3,000 to student teachers during their clinical practice semester.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma began providing student teachers with a stipend of up to $3,250 beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. The state’s program is funded by federal COVID-19 relief dollars, so it expired after the 2023-2024 school year.
Utah
Utah’s legislature passed a bill paying stipends to college students completing student teaching.
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States with the most generous student-teacher stipends
While most student teachers in the United States don't get paid, some states have started offering stipends to address teacher shortages and make it easier for aspiring educators to enter the profession. Here are some states with the most generous student-teacher stipends:
Maryland
Maryland has a $20,000 stipend for student teachers, which is the highest amount among all states. The stipend is for a 10-month educator internship, and it's part of the Teacher Academy of Maryland program. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a teacher preparation program, participate in an internship at a public school or publicly funded pre-kindergarten program, and continue to make progress toward their degree. Additionally, they must pledge to teach in-state for two years after completing their degree in a high-needs area.
Colorado
Colorado offers eligible student teachers a stipend of $11,000 for a 16-week residency or $22,000 for a 32-week residency during the 2022-2023 school year. To qualify, participants must be within 250% of Pell eligibility.
Michigan
Michigan started awarding student teachers a stipend of $9,600 in 2023.
Illinois
While Illinois has not yet passed legislation for student-teacher stipends, there is a bill in the works that proposes a $10,000 stipend per semester for student teachers. This bill has the support of aspiring educators in the state, who argue that it would be transformational in covering expenses such as mileage reimbursement, tuition, food, and rent.
Kentucky
Kentucky began providing stipends of up to $5,000 for student teachers who are permanent residents of the state in the 2024-2025 academic year. There are efforts to expand the program's eligibility to include out-of-state students as well.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, at least seven states have student-teacher stipend programs. These include Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
In 2024, eligible student teachers in Kentucky started receiving a stipend of up to $5,000 for the academic year.
In New Jersey, student teachers receive a stipend of $3,000 during their clinical practice semester.
Maryland has a $20,000 stipend program for student teachers who complete 10-month educator internships.
In Colorado, student teachers can receive $11,000 for a 16-week residency or $22,000 for a 32-week residency.
