EAST LANSING – A new report issued today by the National Education Association underscores the importance of improving compensation for educators – something the state Senate’s proposed education budget takes seriously, as highlighted in its presentation today.

Michigan is lagging behind other states when it comes to paying educators competitive wages, leading to educator shortages affecting schools and students across the state. The NEA report found:

• Michigan ranks 8th-lowest in the nation in starting teacher salaries, with the average new teacher earning just $41,645.
• Michigan fares better when it comes to paying the average veteran teacher, with an overall average salary of $69,067 — but we still dropped two spots in the national rankings, from 17th to 19th. Our teachers also have more to manage, as our state has the 8th-most students for every teacher.
• The average full-time school support professional earned just $31,753 last school year, putting Michigan 33rd in the nation.
• Most states are doing a better job than Michigan of addressing substandard educator pay, as our state ranked 33rd in the nation last year in average teacher pay increases.
• While the average teacher’s wage increased by about 3% here in Michigan, the inflation rate increased by the same amount, wiping out any real gains. Overall, the average Michigan teacher makes 14% less than in 2016 when accounting for inflation.

“We must prioritize keeping great educators working in our kids’ classrooms and attracting more talent into the education profession, so our students can be better prepared for the high-tech jobs of the future,” said MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi, a high school teacher from Oakland County. “At the end of the day, the real solution is simple and follows basic labor economics: When you offer better compensation and working conditions, you attract and retain more talent.”

The state Senate’s proposed education budget moves us in the right direction by providing funding specifically for improving educator salaries. In addition, the proposal includes funding and language to reduce class sizes, provide additional services for at-risk students, improve student mental health, and address crumbling school infrastructure.

Read more about the Senate’s proposal in this analysis from the Senate Fiscal Agency.