Topic: Teacher Compensation
Teacher Compensation
SREB publishes data, analyzes policies and tracks state proposals for increases to K-12 teacher salaries. In addition, we work to help states identify innovative compensation and incentive approaches and improve upon other key teacher workforce retention strategies.
Teacher Compensation Dashboard
SREB’s teacher compensation
dashboard allows users to explore the average compensation
packages for teachers in each state in the SREB region. The
dashboard shows data on salaries, retirement benefits,
health benefit options and typical take-home pay for
teachers at different stages of their careers.
Proposed Teacher Salary Increases, 2021
Updated February 2021
| Arkansas | $2,000 over two years |
| Kentucky | $1,000 |
| North Carolina | $2,500 educator bonuses that would be paid in April 2021 |
| South Carolina |
$35 million to resume annual step increases that were paused in 2020-21 because the state is still operating under the 2019-20 budget via continuing resolution. |
Teacher Salary Increases, SREB States
2020-21 school year
Updated January 2021
During their 2020 sessions, legislatures in eight SREB states proposed increases in teacher salaries for the 2020-21 school year. After the pandemic began and states reconsidered their budgets, the states did not act on those proposals.
Two SREB states acted to increase teacher salaries.
New Ideas in Teacher Compensation
To help states retain teachers and recruit the next generation into the profession, this brief examines teacher compensation policies in states and how adjustments could help reverse teacher shortage trends. The report looks at teacher compensation packages as a whole, including data on salary, health insurance, retirement and other benefits. It also outlines moderate-, low- and no-cost strategies for states and districts to improve teacher working environments.
How Could States and Districts Improve Teacher Working Conditions?
Examples of Initiatives From Around the South
On average, 8% of teachers leave the profession each year, many citing poor working conditions. State policymakers can improve the environment for educators through early career induction, mentoring, professional learning, school leadership, tiered certification, career lattices and advanced teacher roles. This briefing offers specific examples from SREB states and three steps to consider.
Proposed Teacher Salary Increases, 2020
Teacher salaries remain a key education issue across the country. Legislatures in many SREB states took action in 2019 to increase teacher salaries for the 2019-20 school year.
As of February 24, 2020, governors in seven SREB states have proposed teacher salary increases.
Teacher Salary Increases, SREB States
2019-20
December 2019
Legislatures in many SREB states took action to increase teacher salaries for the 2019-20 school year. This table summarizes those actions across the region.