This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week and a new report is highlighting the problems surrounding teacher\u2019s pay in Kentucky.<\/p>\n
An annual report by the the National Education Association (NEA) reveals that despite growth in educator pay last year, chronic problems plague educators, including low wages and a lack of professional respect.<\/p>\n
The report shows that despite the average public school teacher salary rising nationally by 3.5%, pay has failed to keep up with inflation over the past decade. Adjusted for inflation, teachers earn about 5% less today than they did 10 years ago.<\/p>\n
Kentucky teachers have not received an across-the-board pay raise since 2008.<\/p>\n
In 2025, there were more than 2,421 school vacancies across Kentucky, according to a Kentucky Department of Education report. According to a release sent by the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) data shows that over the past year, little has been done to improve teacher pay in Kentucky.<\/p>\n
KEA President Joel Wolford said every school district across the commonwealth faces shortages of teachers, substitutes, bus drivers, custodians, and office staff. Properly investing in our educators\u2019 pay could help remedy this critical shortage and make Kentucky a competitive destination for educators working in our neighboring states. Until then, Kentucky will continue to struggle with fully staffing our public schools.<\/p>\n
Data highlights and trends:<\/p>\n
The average Kentucky public school teacher salary increased 3.7% from the previous year to $60,594, but nationally Kentucky ranks 42nd in the nation, same as last year.
\nThe average beginning teacher salary rose 4.2% in Kentucky to $41,901, ranking 47th nationally.
\nClassified support staff (bus drivers, janitorial workers, cafeteria services, administrative staff) make, on average, $29,312 per year in Kentucky, a 4.2% increase from the previous year, but a ranking of 49th across the country.
\nCompetitive pay among bordering states is plaguing the teaching profession in Kentucky. Of the seven states surrounding Kentucky, only West Virginia and Missouri rank lower at 47th and 49th, respectively, on average teacher salary.
\nSEEK funding (Support Education Excellence in Kentucky), which is the funding formula the legislature uses to provide resources to schools per student, is below 2008 levels in Kentucky, when adjusted for inflation.
\nTeacher pay gap. Compared to other college-educated professionals with similar experience, teacher salaries are 27% lower than those of their similarly educated peers, according to and Economic Policy Institute report.
\nThe union advantage: Teachers earn 24% more on average in states with collective bargaining.
\nSource: WBKO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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