Virginia’s Teacher Pay Remains Below National Average Despite Recent Increases
Despite recent budget allocations aimed at boosting teacher salaries, Virginia’s educators continue to earn less than their counterparts in other states. In May 2024, the state budget included $540 million for 3% salary increases for teachers and state employees over two years. However, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed legislation that sought to align Virginia’s teacher pay with the national average by the 2027-28 school year, citing concerns over data accuracy and the need for annual compensation reviews. (virginiamercury.com)
The Virginia Education Association (VEA) criticized the veto, arguing that the governor’s data comparisons were flawed and that the legislation was essential for addressing the state’s teacher shortage. VEA President James J. Fedderman emphasized that low pay is the primary factor driving teachers out of the profession. (virginiamercury.com)
A 2019 report by the Economic Policy Institute highlighted that Virginia teachers’ weekly wages were 31% lower than those of other college-educated workers, ranking the state third from the bottom nationally. (virginiamercury.com) This wage disparity contributes to the state’s ongoing teacher shortage, with vacancies more than doubling from 1,063 in 2019 to 3,649 in 2023. (virginiamercury.com)
In response to these challenges, bipartisan legislation has been proposed to raise teacher and support staff salaries to the national average or higher. The bills, carried by Del. Nadarius Clark and Sen. Louise Lucas, aim for a 3% increase in the 2025-26 school year and an additional 7% in 2026-27. While the governor has expressed support for competitive funding, he has not approved the specific salary alignment measures. (virginiamercury.com)
As Virginia continues to grapple with teacher shortages, addressing compensation disparities remains a critical factor in retaining and attracting quality educators.
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