Which Wisconsin School Districts Pay Teachers The Most?

MADISON, WI — Which Wisconsin school districts pay teachers the most?

State data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction gives residents a district-by-district look at average teacher contract salaries for the 2025-26 school year, based on the agency's WISE staff reporting system.

The numbers reflect average contract salaries for classroom teachers by district. See the full list here.

They are not starting salaries, and they do not show individual teacher pay. The figures exclude interns, subcontracted staff and staff hired by a Cooperative Educational Service Agency.

Actual salaries can vary based on experience, education level, contract terms, additional duties and other factors.

Here are the 25 Wisconsin public school districts with the highest average teacher contract salaries in the 2025-26 report:

1. Arrowhead UHS School District: $88,558
2. Nicolet Union High School District: $85,123
3. Elmbrook School District: $80,907
4. Wilmot UHS School District: $80,672
5. Milwaukee School District: $80,645
6. Cornell School District: $80,071
7. Lac du Flambeau #1 School District: $79,818
8. Swallow School District: $79,695
9. Norris School District: $79,046
10. Verona Area School District: $78,958
11. Greendale School District: $78,569
12. Shorewood School District: $78,450
13. Three Lakes School District: $78,042
14. Kettle Moraine School District: $78,015
15. Ashwaubenon School District: $77,177
16. Muskego-Norway School District: $76,192
17. Oak Creek-Franklin Joint School District: $76,104
18. Mequon-Thiensville School District: $75,939
19. Racine Unified School District: $75,825
20. Waunakee Community School District: $75,813
21. Burlington Area School District: $75,752
22. Slinger School District: $75,743
23. Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District: $75,732
24. Oregon School District: $75,649
25. Waukesha School District: $75,431

Arrowhead UHS, a Waukesha County district that serves only high school students, topped the list, followed by Nicolet Union High School District and Elmbrook School District. Milwaukee, the state's largest district, cracked the top five.

Cornell School District, a small district in Chippewa County, and Lac du Flambeau #1 School District, near the Lac du Flambeau reservation in Vilas County, both landed in the top 10, ahead of several well known suburban Milwaukee districts.

Several of the highest paying districts, including Arrowhead, Nicolet and Wilmot, are union high school districts that serve only grades nine through 12, which tend to report higher average salaries since their teaching staffs skew more experienced.