Many Texas teachers should soon see a boost in their pay after the state Senate approved considerable pay increases.
On Wednesday, the Texas Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 26, a measure to significantly increase teacher salaries statewide.
“I believe teaching is a profession and not just a job, and teachers should be paid accordingly,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated, emphasizing his commitment to better teacher compensation.
The bill outlines annual raises of up to $5,500 for teachers in districts with over 5,000 students, while those in smaller districts could see increases of up to $10,000.
State Sen. Brandon Creighton, the bill’s author, stressed the importance of this initiative, particularly in light of the challenges educators face.
In 2024, the average Texas teacher salary was $62,500, with rural educators often earning less. Previous efforts to boost pay stalled in 2023 when teacher raises were tied to a controversial school voucher program.
Alongside salary increases, SB 26 expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment, rewarding educators based on classroom observations and student performance. It also provides free pre-K for teachers’ children and liability insurance for educators.
With a unanimous 31-0 Senate vote, the bill now moves to the House, where lawmakers are working on their own education proposal, also focused on increasing teacher pay.
