From salary bumps to friendly work environments, here are the states where a passion for teaching can truly pay off. WalletHub determined the best places for teachers by first comparing every state and Washington, D.C., in two categories: opportunity and competition, and academic and work environment. Data analysts graded 24 weighted metrics, from the average salary for teachers to working mom friendliness, on a 100-point scale, with 100 indicating the best conditions for teachers. 10 Best States for TeachersVirginia claims the top spot, mainly because of the state’s income growth potential for educators—the highest in the country. If you’re looking to pursue a career in education, consider moving to one of these states:Virginia Utah Washington New York Illinois Maryland Georgia Minnesota Massachusetts California10 Worst States for TeachersMango Productions/GettyImagesHawaii, Montana, and New Hampshire are the worst states for teachers.