Beginning and veteran teachers in Florida will get a pay raise thanks to an $800 million set aside in the 2022 state budget. The funding represents a $250 million increase in teacher compensation over last years’ budget, as well as the state’s more than $2 billion investment in teacher pay over the last three years.
“It’s a big deal,” DeSantis said.
The increase will raise the average starting salary for teachers in Florida from $40,000 in 2020 to at least $47,000 in 2022, DeSantis’ office said. The increase also raises Florida’s national starting teacher pay ranking to 9th in the nation up from 26th in the nation in 2020.
Currently starting public school teachers in Spring Hill receive $43,500 annually, according to salary.com.
According to DeSantis, the increase is timely as well as crucial to the future quality of education in Florida.
“With rising inflation, this could not come at a better time,” DeSantis said. “This will help Florida to recruit and retain great teachers.”
The Legislature passed the budget on March 14. DeSantis announced the pay increases on March 21.
