Here's How Much Teachers In RI Make, New Data Shows

RHODE ISLAND — Even with recent pay increases, teacher salaries in Rhode Island and elsewhere around the country haven’t kept pace with inflation over the past decade, according to a new report from the National Education Association.

When adjusted for inflation, the nation’s K-12 public school teachers made 5 percent less than they did 10 years ago, according to the report. The report is based on 2022-23 school year data and projected 2023–24 data.

Rhode Island's average starting teacher salary of $46,066 in 2022-23 ranked 18th in the country, while the average teacher salary of $79,289 ranked ninth, the report showed.

The average minimum living wage is $76,364 in Rhode Island, for a pay gap of 91 cents in 2022-23, compared to other college-educated people with similar experience.

Educational support personnel in Rhode Island earned an average of $39,165 during the same period, ranking ninth.

Per-pupil spending in Rhode Island for the 2022-23 school year was $20,754, which ranked No. 10 in the nation.

Noting that low pay limits the ability of schools to attract and retain high quality teachers, the NEA warned a widespread educator shortage is looming amid sagging morale across the profession.

Nationwide, the recent teacher pay hikes represent the largest year-over-year increase in more than a decade. But educators overall are inadequately paid and greater investments in public education are needed to maintain the momentum, the national teacher’s union said.

Overall, the report showed:

• The national average public school teacher salary in 2022-23 increased 4.1 percent from the previous year to $69,544 and is projected to grow a further 3.1 percent in 2023-24.
• The national average beginning teacher salary was $44,530. At 3.9 percent, the increase in the average starting salary was the largest in the 14 years that NEA has been tracking teacher salary benchmarks. However, when adjusted for inflation, the starting teacher salaries are now $4,273 below the 2008–09 levels.
• A staggering 77 percent of U.S. school districts still pay a starting salary below $50,000 (28.6 percent start teachers at less than $40,000), while teacher salaries top out over $100,000 in only 16.6 percent of districts.
• The starting salary of teachers in states with a bargaining law is $1,653 more than in states without a bargaining law.
• Top pay is $12,998 higher in states where collective bargaining laws covering educational support personnel, with average earnings of $38,167, compared to states where bargaining is prohibited, where these people earn an average of $32,308.

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