Sleep disturbance and burnout are prevalent among primary and secondary school teachers. Nevertheless, little is known about the relationship between sleep disturbance and burnout, and the mechanisms connecting this link. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between sleep disturbance and burnout among urban teachers, as well as to investigate this influencing mechanism further with resilience as a moderator. 14,218 primary and secondary school teachers provided valid data. We assessed demographic information, sleep disturbance, burnout, and resilience. Multivariable logistic regression, Spearman correlation, and moderation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between sleep disturbance and burnout and the moderating role of resilience. Of the participants, the prevalence of sleep disturbance and sleep deprivation among teachers was 20.0% and 31.7%, respectively. Additionally, 58.4% of teachers reported moderate or severe burnout, and 15.3% had both sleep disturbance and burnout. Sleep disturbance was significant and positively related to burnout. Resilience was found to moderate the association between sleep disturbance and burnout. These findings suggested strong associations between sleep disturbance and burnout. Interventions in improving resilience may protect teachers with sleep disturbance from burnout. •A large representative sample of Chinese teachers was used.•Sleep disturbance was highly associated with a higher risk of burnout.•Resilience was found to moderate the association between sleep disturbance and burnout.•Interventions in improving resilience may protect teachers with sleep disturbance from burnout.