TAMPA, Fla. — A new report from the Florida Education Association (FEA) shows that Florida continues to rank among the lowest states in the nation for teacher pay. And the situation may be getting worse as salaries fail to keep pace with inflation.
The findings come at a critical time, as the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association negotiates a new contract with Hillsborough County Schools.
According to data from the National Education Association (NEA), Florida currently ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher pay—for the third consecutive year.
The FEA says inflation has significantly widened the gap between what teachers earn and what it costs to live in the state.
A recent Gallup poll highlights the financial strain educators are facing nationwide, with more than 70% of teachers reporting they now work a second job to make ends meet.
In Florida, inflation peaked at nearly 10% in late 2022. However, the FEA says teacher salaries have not kept up. Between 2024 and 2025, starting teacher pay increased by just 1.6%—roughly $800—far below what would be considered a meaningful cost-of-living adjustment.
FEA President Andrew Spar is urging state leaders to make a long-term investment in public education that will benefit both teachers and students.
“We have been calling on the Florida Legislature and Governor to invest at least one-thousand dollars more per student in to our public schools for the next seven years,” said Spar. “That will allow us to move teacher pay to top 10 in the nation, support staff pay up to top ten in the nation. It will allow us to invest in mental health programs for our students, reading programs for our students, and especially for students with disabilities.”
Despite ongoing discussions about education funding, Florida lawmakers have not yet passed a state budget.
This creates uncertainty for school districts like Hillsborough County, where contract negotiations are underway without a clear picture of future funding levels.
While teacher pay in Florida has long been a concern, the state’s ranking has steadily declined over time. In 2010, Florida ranked 36th in the nation for teacher pay. Since then, it has dropped to last place.
The FEA attributes part of this decline to the expansion of student voucher programs and the growing number of students opting for online learning, which they say has impacted funding for traditional public schools.