Florida Teacher Pay Remains Stagnant as State Holds at 50th in National Rankings

New data released today shows Florida’s average teacher pay has continued to rank near rock bottom of the nation in average teacher pay, stagnating at 50th out of all 50 states and D.C., according to newly released data from the National Education Association (NEA).

Florida’s poor ranking is a direct result of poor policy implemented over the past 15 years and a continued lack of investment in public education by state leaders. The new figures show that while average teacher pay in Florida rose to $54,875 in the 2023-24 school year (3.3% increase from the year before), it’s not enough to keep pace with inflation. When adjusted for inflation, from 2014-15 to 2023-24, the average teacher salary in Florida fell 12.9%.

“Florida’s lawmakers say they want to lead in public education, but you can’t lead from 50th place,” said FEA President Andrew Spar. “Florida’s 50th place ranking two years in a row is undeniable evidence that what politicians are doing right now simply isn’t working. Our state is facing a critical teacher and staff shortage, SAT scores are declining, and NAEP scores in reading and math are slipping—all clear signs that students are paying the price for bad policy. It’s a legacy of bad policy, and if we don’t change course, that will be the legacy that defines the future of public education in our state. Educators aren’t asking for riches—they’re asking for the chance to build a stable life, to afford to live in the communities they serve, and to lift up the next generation. They want to be able to teach without worrying about making ends meet, and to give every student the attention and care they deserve. Strong public schools are the heart of strong communities. If lawmakers truly want to lead on education, it’s time to put money where their priorities are—into neighborhood public schools where 80% of Florida’s children learn and grow every day.”

A child who was in kindergarten when this Governor signed his first budget in 2019 will be starting middle school under the 2025–26 budget. Over that time, inflation-adjusted per-student funding has dropped by $400. Even as Florida climbed slightly to 39th in per student spending this year, the progress is deceiving. The Governor’s original budget proposal keeps public schools at the bottom of the priority list by keeping per student spending flat, failing to deliver meaningful raises for teachers, and significantly decreasing funding for special needs students. The House and Senate proposed budgets follow suit, proposing deep cuts to college and career readiness programs that are critical to Florida’s future workforce and minimal increases to teacher salaries.

The consequences of low pay and bad education policy are showing up all over the state in the form of worsening teacher shortages, failing test scores, and growing gaps in support for students. Twenty counties reported more teacher vacancies at the start of this school year compared and the pay gap between new and experienced educators is widening due to salary compression, pushing longtime teachers out of the profession and replacing them with long-term substitutes. Meanwhile, education staff professionals (ESPs), who are essential to school operations, earn just $33,324 on average—a figure far below Florida’s living wage of $61,002 for a family of one adult and one child to have a modest but adequate standard of living.