A starting teacher’s salary of $40,000 seemed like an impossible dream just a few short years ago. But today, nearly a dozen districts have salaries that high or higher at Step 0 on their salary schedules.
And that’s $40,000-plus base salary – not total compensation.
The proof can be found in the Oklahoma Education Association’s annual salary comparison. Annetta Hein, advocacy specialist for the Oklahoma City Metro region, has compiled the salary schedules of the state’s largest school districts. OEA members can see the book online in the Members Only Section of this website or get a copy from their regional advocacy specialist.
This year’s comparison lists base salaries from the 6A and 5A school districts. State law allows districts to include paid retirement benefits in meeting the minimum salary schedule. Most of the Oklahoma City Metro school districts pay the employee portion of retirement, while most Tulsa Metro districts do not.
The report includes a chart on how much each district pays toward the employee obligation to the Teachers’ Retirement System.
Among the highlights of this year’s comparison:
“Thanks to our success beginning with the 2018 teacher walkout, we’ve raised teacher salaries an average of more than $7,000, jumping from 50th to 34th nationally,” said OEA President Alicia Priest. “We still aren’t No. 1 in our region, but we’re a little more competitive today.
“Even with that success, we still have work to do, though. We didn’t get near the bottom in teacher pay overnight, and it will take our continued diligence and determination to keep climbing.”
