Texas Teachers Underpaid
Texas teachers paid less than national average
Everyone knows that teachers don't get paid enough, but new data from the National Center for Education Statistics point to an alarming trend in Texas. By analyzing the average salary for public school teachers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the NCES found that Texas is the 14th worst state for teachers' salaries.
On average, Texas teachers receive an annual salary of $48,110, well below the national average of $56,383. Though Texas' population continues to grow — adding more children to the public school system every year — teachers have seen their salaries decrease on average over the last few years, most likely due to budget cuts that accompanied the recession.
According to the NCES data, the current average salary for teachers is about $1,000 less than it was during the 2011-2012 school year.
New York came in No. 1, paying teachers an average of $75,279. Massachusetts came in second, with an average salary of $73,129. The District of Columbia rounds out the top three, offering teachers an annual average of $70,906. South Dakota came in last, paying those who mold the minds of the next generation just $39,580 annually.
To see a side-by-side analysis as well as an interactive map, check out Highereddatastories.com.
