Texas Senate Greenlights Teacher Pay Raises Up to $10,000 Statewide

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.