Florida ranks 50th as average teacher pay sits $18K below U.S. average, report says

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida has once again found itself at the bottom of the list when it comes to teacher salaries, with the overall average salary sitting around $18,000 below the national average.

According to new data from the National Education Association (NEA) released in April, Florida ranks 50th among all states for average teacher pay.

The report states that for the 2025-26 school year, the average salary for teachers in Florida has seen a slight increase to $56,663, a 3.3% rise from the previous year.

This increase has not kept pace with inflation, and when adjusted for inflation, over the last decade, average salaries have trailed inflation by more than 12%, per the NEA.

See also: Meal costs will vary at Palm Beach County Schools next year

Education support professionals are also struggling, with an average salary of just $34,645. This figure falls below Florida’s living wage of $63,853 for a single adult with one child, highlighting the financial challenges faced by many in the education sector.

While starting salaries for teachers have improved and now average around $49,435, placing Florida 19th nationally, the overall average salary remains about $18,000 below the national average.