Despite modest gains in average teacher pay last year, Kentucky continues to fall behind in compensating its educators, according to four new reports released today by the National Education Association (NEA).
The findings point to a broader crisis in education: low pay, poor working conditions, and persistent staff shortages — problems that Kentucky mirrors on nearly every front.
🔍 Key Takeaways for Kentucky:
a) Average teacher salary: Up 3.6% to $58,325 — yet Kentucky dropped from 41st to 42nd in national rankings.
b) Starting teacher pay: Up 2.4% to $40,161 — but fell from 45th to 48th in the U.S.
c) Support staff wages: $28,088 annually — ranking 49th nationally, down from 44th last year.
d) Teacher pay gap: Kentucky educators earn just 75 cents for every dollar earned by similarly educated professionals.
“It’s no secret that educators in Kentucky are not competitively compensated,” said Eddie Campbell, President of the Kentucky Education Association (KEA). “Properly investing in our teachers’ pay could help remedy this critical shortage.”
📚 Why It Matters
Educators are the backbone of Kentucky’s schools and communities — yet they remain underpaid and undervalued. According to the Annenberg Institute, the state faced over 2,000 teacher vacancies in 2024 alone. Without significant investment, experts warn, the pipeline of future educators will continue to shrink.
Compounding the problem is a decline in SEEK funding — the state’s core education funding formula — which remains below 2008 levels when adjusted for inflation. Meanwhile, neighboring states are becoming more attractive to educators due to higher pay and stronger benefits, putting Kentucky at a competitive disadvantage.
📉 National Trends Mirror Kentucky’s Decline
NEA’s 2025 reports show a troubling national picture:
+ Average U.S. teacher salary dropped for the first time in over a decade.
+ Starting teacher pay declined nationally, adjusted for inflation.
+ Support staff and higher education faculty also reported flat or declining wages.
The data comes from four comprehensive NEA studies: Rankings & Estimates, Teacher Salary, Benchmark Report, Education Support Professional Earnings Report and the Higher Education Faculty Salary Analysis
🗣️ The Union Advantage
NEA data also shows that in states where educators have collective bargaining rights, average teacher pay is 24% higher than in states without them — a powerful argument for labor protections in the classroom.
📣 What Comes Next?
Advocates say real change will require a unified push from parents, teachers, school staff, and legislators. The call is clear: If educators are expected to fund classrooms from their own pockets, the least Kentucky can do is raise their salaries.
“Until then,” Campbell said, “Kentucky will continue to struggle with staffing our public schools.”
💬 Join the Conversation:
How has educator pay affected your community? Share your thoughts using #PayKentuckyTeachers or contact your local legislator.
