Texas teachers make about average relative to those in other states across the country. Lawmakers might change that this session.

For years, Texas teachers have argued inadequate public education funding keeps their salaries low and their out-of-pocket costs high and has led some to live paycheck to paycheck. In 2018, Texas teachers made an average of $53,334 in base pay, according to state data. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick both have said increasing teacher pay is a priority for them this legislative session. Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, filed legislation in January that would give Texas schools $3.7 billion to provide $5,000 pay raises each year over the next two years to all full-time classroom teachers in the state.

But education advocates have told us that they have questions about the sustainability of the raises in future legislative sessions and would like to see support staff receive raises as well. House and Senate education leaders are also considering merit pay proposals to get school districts to pay their highest-performing teachers more.

What do teachers think? We want to hear from public school teachers about their salaries and the potential pay raises. Fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch.

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María Méndez works on efforts to better connect with Texans and writes explainers and guides. She strives to answer Texans' questions about politics and public policy and to help them find resources....

Forrest Milburn was 2019 audience engagement fellow at The Texas Tribune. Previously, Forrest interned at the Dallas Morning News on their politics team, the Texas Observer on their audience team, and...

Aliyya Swaby was the public education reporter for The Texas Tribune, where she worked from 2016 to 2021. Previously she worked at the hyperlocal nonprofit New Haven Independent, where she covered education,...