Florida’s Average Teacher Pay Ranks Almost Dead Last Despite $4 Billion Investment

Florida’s Teacher Pay Ranks Almost Dead Last Despite $4 Billion Investment

Despite a significant investment of over $4 billion to increase educators’ salaries since 2020, Florida is now almost dead last in state-by-state comparisons of average teacher pay, according to the National Education Association.

The Florida Education Association (FEA) highlighted the new rankings from a National Education Association (NEA) report, showing that Florida’s average public school teacher pay dropped from No. 48 nationally to No. 50 among states and Washington, D.C. Only West Virginia ranked lower than the Sunshine State.

While Florida’s average starting teacher salary ranks 16th among states at $47,178, the overall average teacher salary falls short of the national average. The report reveals that overall average teacher salaries in Florida are $53,100, with the average pay for experienced teachers just slightly higher than new teachers.

FEA President Andrew Spar expressed disappointment in the state’s failure to prioritize fair compensation for teachers and staff, despite a thriving economy. Spar criticized anti-education politicians for not adequately supporting teachers, leading to stagnant and declining average salaries over the past five and a half years.

Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has faced criticism for the lack of progress in improving teacher pay, with national teacher pay increases lagging behind inflation over the last decade. The state Department of Education and the Governor’s Office have not yet commented on the recent rankings.

In December, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. praised DeSantis for his budget impact on teacher pay increases, touting Florida as the “Education State.” However, disagreements between the DOE and the state’s largest teachers’ union persist, with conflicting data on teacher vacancies and efforts to address the teacher shortage crisis.

FEA President Spar emphasized the need for Florida to prioritize education and address the teacher shortage crisis to ensure every student receives a world-class education and every educator has the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families.