Teacher pay lags, union contends

WASHINGTON - Teachers were paid an average of $45,771 last year, a figure not keeping pace with educators' expenses, says a teachers union survey.

The typical teacher's salary went up 3.3 percent in 2002-03, the last year for which figures are available, according to an annual report by the American Federation of Teachers. The 1.3-million member union gets its financial data from state education departments.

The pay range varies significantly by state, accounting for differences in cost of living and the way salary packages are set up. California paid the highest average salary, $55,693. South Dakota had the lowest, $32,414.

Concerns about competitive pay often are raised by business and government leaders. Salaries are seen as a chief reason that schools struggle to recruit and retain top educators in math and science.

For the second straight year, union leaders say, double-digit increases in health insurance expenses eroded teachers' salaries. Teachers, like many workers, are being told to pay more for standard insurance, visits to doctors and prescription drugs.

Given those increases and other out-of-pocket expenses, "compensation packages are nothing short of insulting," said Edward McElroy, the union's secretary-treasurer. The union is helping many districts review health expenses to reduce costs without weakening care.

Jewell Gould, director of research for the union, said the 3.3 percent reflects more senior teachers moving to the top of the pay scale - driving up the average salary - while fewer new teachers were hired during a lean economic time.

New teachers were paid an average of $29,564 last year, an increase of 3.2 percent. Twenty states and the District of Columbia pay first-time teachers more than $30,000, a sign of improvement, Gould said.

Average teaching salaries for the 2002-03 school year:

1. CALIFORNIA: $55,693*

29. FLORIDA: $40,281

51. SOUTH DAKOTA: $32,414

NATION: $45,771

Average teacher salaries in the Tampa Bay area's five school districts:

PINELLAS: $39,737

HILLSBOROUGH: $37,944

PASCO: $37,453

HERNANDO: $34,397

CITRUS: $34,246

*Includes benefits

- Sources: American Federation of Teachers, the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

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