North Carolina Teacher Pay Bill Sparks Debate Over Funding and Student Performance Impact
House Bill 192 proposes raising starting teacher salaries from $41,000 to $50,000 and boosting pay for veteran teachers with 25 or more years of experience from $55,950 to $68,230.
Holly Springs, NC, Mar. 13, 2025 — A new bill introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly could significantly increase the salaries of public school teachers, a move aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of educators across the state. House Bill 192 (file), titled "Raise Teacher Pay & Dollar Allot. Study," proposes raising starting teacher salaries from $41,000 to $50,000 and boosting pay for veteran teachers with 25 or more years of experience from $55,950 to $68,230.
What’s in the Bill?
If passed, House Bill 192 would:
Establish a new salary schedule for teachers, increasing overall pay by 22%.
Restore salary supplements for teachers with National Board Certification (12% increase), master’s degrees ($126 monthly), doctoral degrees ($253 monthly), and certain school personnel such as nurses and counselors.
Direct a study on shifting school funding from position-based allocations to an average daily membership model.
Supporters say the bill is a necessary step to keep North Carolina competitive. "We want to ensure our teachers are paid fairly and that North Carolina remains an attractive place for educators to live and work," said Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake), one of the bill’s primary sponsors.
How NC Salaries Compare to Other States
North Carolina's current average starting teacher salary is $40,136, ranking 42nd nationally, while its average teacher salary is $56,559, placing it 38th. The national averages are $43,679 and $60,441, respectively. If passed, the bill would push North Carolina’s starting pay above the national average, bringing it closer to states like Virginia ($51,000) and Georgia ($55,000), though still far behind top-paying states such as California ($95,160) and New York ($92,696).
Who Supports the Bill?
The bill has bipartisan support, with primary sponsors including:
Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake)
Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth)
Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg)
Rep. Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake)
Several Democratic lawmakers have also expressed support, highlighting the potential benefits of increased compensation for retaining experienced educators.
Concerns About the Bill
While many agree that North Carolina teachers need better pay, there are concerns about how the state will fund the increases. The estimated cost of the salary raises is around $1.6 billion in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Some critics argue that the funding could strain other essential programs or require tax hikes.
Another point of debate is the reinstatement of advanced degree supplements. Some experts question whether higher degrees directly translate into better teaching outcomes, arguing that performance-based raises might be a more practical approach.
Additionally, some education advocates worry that across-the-board increases will not address regional disparities, where rural areas and high-poverty districts struggle to attract teachers.
Does Raising Teacher Pay Improve Student Performance?
Research within the United States provides mixed results on whether increasing teacher salaries leads to better student outcomes.
A study published in the Review of Economics and Statistics found that a 10% increase in teacher wages led to a 3-4% reduction in high school dropout rates, suggesting that higher salaries can positively influence student retention.
An analysis by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute found that setting a teacher salary floor led to modest, sustained increases in fourth-grade math and English Language Arts proficiency and improvements in high school graduation rates.
A 2021 analysis of nearly 40 studies examining performance-pay programs found a significant overall effect of merit pay on student performance, particularly in standardized test scores.
While increasing teacher pay has been associated with improvements in student performance, its effectiveness depends on how the salary increases are structured. Across-the-board raises can improve teacher retention and job satisfaction, while performance-based incentives may more directly impact student achievement.
What’s Next?
House Bill 192 has been referred to the House Committee on Appropriations. If it receives a favorable review, it will proceed to the Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee for further consideration.
If passed, the bill could go into effect as early as the 2025-2026 school year, bringing much-needed raises to teachers across North Carolina. However, as lawmakers debate the fiscal feasibility, the question remains: Will North Carolina support such a significant educational investment?
Residents of Holly Springs who wish to weigh in on the bill can follow its progress through the state legislature and contact their representatives to share their views:
North Carolina House of Representatives:
Representative Erin Paré (District 37)
Contact Information:
Email: Erin.Pare@ncleg.gov
North Carolina Senate:
Senator Sydney Batch (District 17)
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Email: Sydney.Batch@ncleg.gov