Nevada is far from being the best state for educators, but unlike other school-related rankings, it’s also not at the bottom of the barrel, according to a recent WalletHub study that analyzed teaching environments.

The Silver State ranked 32nd overall in the study, pulled down by metrics in the “academic and work environment” category such as a high student-to-teacher ratio. Nevada fared better in the “opportunity and competition” category, which examined metrics such as pay, pensions and projected teacher competition in 2026. WalletHub assigned a heavier weight to the latter category given the role salaries and job security play in people’s professional and personal lives.

If Nevada wants to improve its friendliness toward teachers, it should look toward New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois and North Dakota. Those states snagged the top five spots in that order.

Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Arizona and Hawaii rounded out the bottom five positions based on lackluster pay and environmental metrics.

The study also placed Nevada second in terms of lowest projected competition, meaning fewest teachers per students by 2026.

Education has emerged as a key issue in Nevada’s midterm election. A recent Reno Gazette-Journal poll found that among people planning to vote in the governor’s race, education was their top concern.