The highest paying school districts in Pennsylvania include Lower Merion, Radnor Township, and Tredyffrin-Easttown. Teachers in these districts can earn average salaries exceeding $100,000 annually. These districts are located in affluent suburbs near Philadelphia and consistently rank high in both pay and academic performance.
Pennsylvania’s Top-Paying School Districts (2025)
If you’re a teacher in Pennsylvania looking to earn more, these districts are where the money is. In 2025, Farrell Area School District leads the state with a jaw-dropping average teacher salary of $140,289. It’s followed by Lower Merion, Upper Dublin, and Montour, all boasting six-figure salaries.
Here’s the full breakdown:
| Rank | School District | County | Average Teacher Salary | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farrell Area SD | Mercer | $140,289 | Highest average salary reported statewide. |
| 2 | Lower Merion SD | Montgomery | $111,600 | Highest in Greater Philadelphia area. |
| 3 | Upper Dublin SD | Montgomery | $107,100 | Consistently high-paying. |
| 4 | Montour SD | Allegheny | $108,806 | High Niche rating. |
| 5 | Garnet Valley SD | Delaware | $104,852 | A+ Niche grade. |
| 6 | Rose Tree Media SD | Delaware | $102,806 | High teacher satisfaction. |
| 7 | Colonial SD | Montgomery | $100,000+ | Above $100k average. |
| 8 | Upper Merion Area SD | Montgomery | $100,000+ | Above $100k average. |
| 9 | Lower Moreland SD | Montgomery | $100,000+ | Above $100k average. |
| 10 | Wissahickon SD | Montgomery | $100,000+ | Above $100k average. |
| 11 | New Hope-Solebury SD | Bucks | $95,446 (new teachers) | Highest new teacher salary in PA. |
| 12 | Peters Township SD | Washington | $94,442 | Strong STEM focus. |
| 13 | South Fayette Township SD | Allegheny | $85,494 | High overall grade. |
Why These Districts Lead the Pack
What makes these districts so lucrative? It comes down to local wealth, strong union contracts, and long-tenured staff. In places like Montgomery County, districts such as Colonial, Wissahickon, and Upper Merion Area consistently pay over $100,000 on average. High property values = high local taxes = high teacher salaries.
Farrell: Small but Mighty
Wait, Farrell Area School District? Yes, it’s small, but its $140K average salary isn’t a fluke. A limited number of teachers plus a few long-time earners can push the average way up. Add in specialized contracts or retention strategies, and you’ve got Pennsylvania’s top-paid district.
Geography Matters
Most of the highest paying school districts are clustered in Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Bucks County. These are some of the best school districts in terms of both pay and academic ratings.
Don’t sleep on Hope-Solebury School District in Bucks County, either—it offers the highest starting salary in the state for new teachers: $95,446.
Salary Isn’t Everything
Money’s great, but it’s not the whole picture. Some high-paying schools have higher teacher absenteeism or stress from large class sizes. Others, like Rose Tree Media, balance great pay with high teacher satisfaction and strong support systems. Things like student-teacher ratio, leadership, and culture matter, too.
How These Districts Afford to Pay So Much
The secret? Property taxes. In wealthier districts like Lower Merion, Council Rock, and Ridley, the tax base is strong, so schools don’t have to rely as much on state or federal aid. That gives them more flexibility to invest in the best-paid staff.
Common Questions
Below are common questions we get asked about this topic.
Why does Farrell Area School District pay the most?
Farrell’s small size and senior staff increase the average salary significantly. Fewer teachers means every raise has a bigger impact.
Are high-paying districts the best to work in?
Not always. Some offer high pay but come with bigger challenges. Others, like Garnet Valley and Rose Tree Media, offer both strong pay and positive environments.
Does more pay mean better student performance?
Sometimes. Higher pay helps districts hire and keep top teachers, which can improve outcomes, but things like parental support and resources also play a big role.
How do these districts fund such high salaries?
Mostly through local property taxes. Districts in places like Montgomery County and Bucks County have higher home values, which means more school funding.
Trending stories in education often overlook this: Where you teach in Pennsylvania can make a $40,000+ difference in your paycheck. If you’re looking to move districts, or move up, keep an eye on the ranking factors that matter: salary, support, satisfaction.
As writes Ryan Mulligan, “The story isn’t just about high salaries. It’s about what those salaries say about how much a district values its educators.”
