Submitted by LaKeisha Wells-Palmer
Florida’s educators shape the future, yet they struggle to afford basic necessities. For the second consecutive year, Florida ranks last in teacher salaries nationwide, with an average pay of $54,875, far below the $61,002 minimum living wage for a family.
This crisis directly affects students. The 2023-2024 school year started with over 4,000 teacher vacancies, forcing schools to rely on substitutes, overburdened staff or larger class sizes. Many students go weeks — sometimes entire semesters — without a permanent teacher, undermining their ability to learn. Research confirms that teachers are the most influential factor in student success, yet Florida’s educators are being pushed out of the profession due to financial instability.
The rising cost of living only adds to the challenge. Rent in Miami surged 32% in a single year, and one in three Floridians struggles to afford basic expenses. Meanwhile, a starting teacher’s salary fails to meet the $57,064 annual income needed for an individual to cover personal costs. Teachers aren’t leaving because they want to — they simply can’t afford to stay.
Despite efforts to raise salaries — including Gov. Ron DeSantis’ $1.5 billion proposal and the reintroduced “Save Our Teachers Act,” which aims to set a minimum base salary of $65,000 — Florida remains behind. Previous versions of the bill failed to pass, leaving educators without financial security.
Investing in teachers means investing in Florida’s future. Raising the base salary to $65,000 would improve retention, attract top talent and provide students with the stability they desperately need. If Florida wants to prepare students for success, it must start by valuing the educators shaping the next generation.
LaKeisha Wells-Palmer is the executive director of Teach For America regions in Florida and has over 20 years of experience in education.
