Florida Teacher Pay Ranks 50th Nationally Despite Salary Increases
Florida ranks dead last nationally for teacher pay despite modest salary increases, with average compensation of $56,663 trailing all other states except Mississippi.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Florida teachers received modest pay increases this school year, but the state continues to rank last nationally for overall teacher compensation, according to new data released by the National Education Association.
The union’s annual rankings show Florida’s average starting teacher salary rose to $49,435, placing the state 19th nationally for new educators. However, the state’s overall average teacher salary of $56,663 ranks 50th among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with only Mississippi posting lower compensation levels.
Average teacher pay in Florida increased by 3.3% between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, according to NEA data, but the gains were insufficient to improve the state’s national standing.
Teacher Shortage Creates Classroom Disruptions
Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar highlighted the impact of low teacher compensation on students and families. “In the past five years, my daughter has had her full roster of teachers for an entire school year only once,” Spar said in a news release.
“These incidents are a disruption to her learning and, unfortunately, they’ve become the norm for far too many students across Florida,” Spar added.
The teacher shortage has forced public schools across the state to make difficult cuts to maintain operations. “When public dollars are diverted away from public schools, and teachers can’t afford to stay in the profession, it’s students who lose,” Spar said.
Enrollment Decline Compounds School Challenges
Beyond compensation issues, Florida schools face pressures from declining enrollment. The NEA report shows Florida experienced among the biggest drops in public school enrollment between 2024 and 2025, more than doubling the national decrease in enrollment rate.
School districts have responded to budget pressures and staffing shortages by reducing services and increasing class sizes. “Public schools have been forced to cut essential services, lay off teachers and staff, and increase class sizes, all of which put students last,” Spar said.
The Florida Education Association pointed to legislative budget delays as another factor creating instability for schools. The FEA said the Legislature’s failure to pass a budget before the regular legislative session last year and this year is “adding to the financial instability facing our schools and the teacher and staff layoffs seen across the state.”
The budget uncertainty has left school administrators struggling to plan for the upcoming academic year while managing ongoing staffing challenges caused by teacher departures to higher-paying positions in other states or industries.
