Teacher Salaries See Marginal Gains Amid Inflation Challenges
Despite a rise in average salaries for U.S. public school teachers, inflation-adjusted figures reveal a decline in real earnings since 2017. The National Education Association (NEA), the country’s largest teachers’ union, highlights this concern in a new report, presenting a comprehensive overview of educator pay, student enrollment, and school funding.
According to the NEA’s latest data, the average salary for a public school teacher increased to $74,495 in the last school year, a 3.5% rise from the previous year. However, when adjusted for inflation, teacher pay has effectively decreased since 2017. The report, which utilizes data from state education departments, also includes insights into salaries for support staff and state-by-state comparisons.
Current Salaries for Teachers and Support Staff
Last year, around 3.2 million teachers in U.S. public schools earned an average salary of $74,495, excluding benefits. States like California ($103,552), New York ($98,655), and Washington ($96,589) lead in average teacher salaries, whereas Mississippi ($54,975), Florida ($56,663), and Louisiana ($56,785) rank at the lower end. These figures do not account for cost-of-living differences across regions.
Impact of Inflation on Teacher Pay
The NEA’s projections for 2026 show that, while nominal teacher salaries have risen over the decade, real earnings have fallen by approximately 5% when adjusted for inflation. “Dedicated educators show up every day in classrooms across this country to inspire, support, and lift up their students, but too many are struggling to stay in the profession they love,” NEA President Becky Pringle stated. “They deserve pay that reflects their expertise, the strong support they need to succeed, and the respect that honors the essential role they play in shaping the future of this nation.”
Among the few states where teacher pay has increased in real terms since 2017, Washington stands out with a 36% increase, attributed to a state supreme court ruling demanding better school funding.
Starting Salaries and Support Staff Wages
New teachers saw an average salary increase of 3.4%, reaching $48,112 in 2024-25. However, inflation-adjusted growth was under 1%. The top states for starting salaries include the District of Columbia ($64,640) and Washington ($60,658), while Montana and Nebraska offer the lowest starting salaries.
Support staff, essential to school operations, earned an average of $36,360, with a modest $1,400 increase from the previous year. Yet, compared to 2016, their inflation-adjusted pay has decreased by $2,344.
Collective Bargaining and Its Influence
States with collective bargaining laws report higher average starting and top salaries for educators. School support staff in these states earn 13% more on average. Despite this correlation, a direct causal link between collective bargaining and higher wages cannot be definitively established.
South Carolina, without a collective-bargaining law, nonetheless implemented an 11% pay increase for starting teachers, highlighting exceptions to the trend.
Enrollment Trends and Teacher Ratios
Public school enrollment is experiencing a gradual decline, with nearly 49 million students enrolled at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, marking a 0.3% drop from the previous fall. The student-to-teacher ratio remains stable at 15.1 students per teacher, though it varies significantly by state.
Funding Sources for Schools
Federal contributions to school funding are relatively small, comprising 7.8% of total revenue last year. Most funding comes from state (47%) and local (45%) governments. The federal share is expected to decrease to 7.3% as COVID-19 relief funds wane. Republican-controlled states, such as Kentucky and Alaska, are among those where federal support still accounts for 10% or more of school funding.
