5/07/2026

UPPER MICHIGAN - Michigan educators are joining a national push for better pay.

New reports from the National Education Association show wages are rising, but not fast enough to keep up with inflation over the past decade. Survey data and educator accounts reveal many are taking on second jobs to make ends meet. Michigan special needs paraeducator Robert Gaines the Third spoke out about the crisis during an N-E-A webinar this week.

                    0:14  "This very week, I celebrate 20 years in education, and I do believe that out of the 20 years, there has only been one year that I've been able to do two jobs or less."

The national average starting teacher salary is about 48-thousand dollars, up slightly from last year. The N-E-A research also shows about one-third of full-time K-through-12 support staff, such as food service and bus transportation workers, earn less than 25-thousand a year, with higher wages in states with collective bargaining. Supporters say better pay could help schools retain staff, while critics warn it could strain budgets and taxpayers.