SALT LAKE CITY — Teacher salaries in Utah are improving much better compared to most of the country, although still "lagging" compared to inflation.
That's according to a new study from the National Education Association, the largest teachers' union in the country.
Based on data from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, Utah had the seventh-best improvement in average teacher salary. It jumped from $59,671 to $63,481 — a 6.4% increase.
Nationwide, Utah ranks 23rd in pay, but still below the average teacher salary of $69,544 per year.
According to the NEA, the average starting salary for teachers in Utah is $49,555 — #10 in the nation. However, the state has the lowest per-student spending amount with $10,282 per year.
Nationwide, the NEA says teachers are making 5.3% less than they did 10 years ago when adjusted for inflation.
