A new report from the National Education Association reveals that Florida is among the states with the lowest average teacher salaries, ranking 48th out of 50. According to the report, teachers in Florida earn an average salary of around $51,230, which is below the minimum living wage of $49,625.
When it comes to the average starting salaries for teachers, Florida is positioned better, ranking 15th in the nation with an average starting salary of around $45,337.
According to the report, the average salary of public school teachers nationwide increased by around two percent in the last school year to nearly $67,000, and it is expected to grow by 2.6 percent this year. However, after factoring in inflation, teachers are currently earning $3,644 less than they were ten years ago.
Andrew Spar, the President of the Florida Education Association, has expressed his desire to see lawmakers loosen the restrictions that regulate teacher pay, enabling teachers to receive the compensation they deserve.
Andrew Spar explained that in Florida, there are more than 20 laws that govern teacher pay, making the system extremely complex. Due to this, districts are limited in their ability to ensure that they are meeting the needs of teachers within their district, and as a result, feel restricted.
According to Andrew Spar, the issue with teacher pay is closely linked to the shortage of teachers in Florida, with over 5,200 vacancies currently present across the state.
Andrew Spar noted that while there has been little to no legislation introduced to address the shortage of staff and teachers in Florida, there have been several measures proposed that could potentially worsen the situation. He further stated that vilifying teachers and staff and limiting their ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of their students would only make the situation worse, as they would not feel valued and may opt to leave.
In February, Florida Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson introduced the American Teacher Act in the House, aiming to increase teacher salaries. The bill proposes incentivizing states to raise the minimum teacher salary to $60,000 and has garnered support from over 50 cosponsors to date.
