The average starting salary for a Texas teacher is $49,465, ranking 18th in the nation, according to the report. But the average salary overall drops to $63,749, placing Texas 33rd—well below the national average of $74,495.
That gap becomes more pronounced when compared to other professions. Teachers in Texas earn about 76 cents for every dollar made by similarly-educated workers, highlighting a persistent pay disparity that the report says has long-term consequences for the workforce.
The cost of living benchmark included in the report raises additional concerns. The minimum living wage in Texas is estimated at $58,544—just below the state’s average teacher salary, leaving limited room for financial growth after years in the profession.
Support staff face even steeper challenges. K-12 education support professionals in Texas earn an average of $33,481 annually, ranking 34th in the nation. In higher education, support staff average $45,885, placing 29th.
Per-student spending also lags. Texas ranks 46th nationally, with $12,815 spent per student—an indicator the report links to broader funding challenges across the state’s education system.
Higher education salaries show a slightly stronger position. Faculty in Texas earn an average of $103,484, ranking 24th nationally.
Texas operates one of the largest public school systems in the country, both in size and staffing.
The state is home to 1,208 public school districts out of 15,859 nationwide—more than any other state. Texas serves 5,544,255 students in public K-12 schools, the second-largest student population in the country behind California, which has more than 5.8 million students. Nationwide, nearly 48.8 million students are enrolled in public K-12 education.
Texas also employs more instructional staff than any other state, with a total of 434,430 employees working in public schools. Of those, 369,791 are classroom teachers.