In 2025, Texas teachers will earn an average of $62,463 per year, with starting salaries around $48,526. However, pay can range from $33,660 to $54,540 depending on experience, education, location, and district size.
For more than a decade, educator salaries have been a hot-button topic in Texas, consistently debated by school districts and the state legislature. NEA.Org data shows Texas ranks 18th nationally with an average starting teacher salary of $48,526 and 31st for overall teacher salary at $62,463.
In Texas, the minimum teacher salary ranges from $33.660 to $54,540 with a median annual salary of $52,239. However, salaries vary depending on several factors including years of experience, school district size, education level, and teacher incentive allotment.
Factors that Impact Texas Teacher Salaries
When planning your path to becoming a teacher in Texas its important to understand that teacher salaries vary based on a variety of factors: education level, years of experience, and location.
How Education Level Affects Pay
The level of education a teacher has impacts their salary. Many districts, like Mesquite ISD, offer teachers with a master’s degree stipend of $1,500. Galena Park ISD offers a master’s degree stipend of $2,000 and a doctoral degree stipend of $4,000.
Many districts offer high incentive stipends for teachers in technical education, special education, and other high-needs areas. For example, Mesquite ISD provides a $4,000 stipend for bilingual and Deaf Education teachers, and a $3,000 stipend for self-contained Special Education teachers.
Texas Teacher Salary Ranges by Experience
Teachers can expect their salaries to increase annually as they gain more experience. This is due to salary scales that offer annual increases based on years of service.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) plays a key role in teachers receiving incremental raises by setting a state minimum salary schedule. In Royse City ISD, for instance, new teachers start at $60,000, while those with 23 or more years of experience can earn $70,000.
Location
Location can have significant impacts on teacher salaries. Teachers in urban districts earn higher salaries than those in rural areas due to the differences in funding and cost of living.
Urban districts often have larger budgets and higher enrollments which also impact their teacher salaries.
Barbers Hill ISD in Chambers County offers an average salary of $79,614. Whereas, Borden County ISD's average base salary is $70,895.
Texas is home to 20 education regions and the districts within the larger metropolitan areas have the highest average base salaries. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) maintains a database that includes average base salaries for teachers and other personnel in school districts. The FTE Report by Statewide Region Total for the 2024-2025 school year reported the highest paying regions in Texas as:
- Region 4 (Houston), $68,416
- Region 10 (Dallas), $66,143
- Region 11 (Fort Worth), $65,308
- Region 19 (El Paso), $63,458
- Region 18 (Midland), $63,415
- Region 20 (San Antonio), $62,891
- Region 6 (Huntsville), $62,748
- Region 1 (Laredo), $62,301
- Region 13 (Austin), $61,710
Highest Paying Districts in Texas for Teaching Jobs
The United Educators Association compares salaries in the DFW metropolitan area annually and for 2024-2025 the highest paying districts for first year teachers in the metroplex were:
- Mansfield $64,700
- Arlington $64,600
- Ft. Worth $63,000
- Grand Prairie $63,000
- Birdville $62,750
- Coppell $62,700
- Irving $62,618
- HEB $62,500
- Dallas $62,000
- Garland $61,500
Texas Teacher Salary Increases from House Bill 2
During the 89th legislative session, state lawmakers unanimously passed House Bill 2, providing mandated state funding for increasing teacher salaries. HB2 provides $8.5 billion in new funding for public schools with $4.2 billion earmarked for classroom teachers. The amount of funding districts receive from HB2 is determined by the size of the district and teacher experience.Â
Funding from HB2 is determined by district size and years of experience.Â
- School districts with 5,000 or fewer students will receive $4,000 for each classroom teacher with 3-5 years of experience.
- Districts with more than 5,000 students enrolled will receive:
- $2,500 for each classroom teacher with 3-5 years of experience.
- $5,000 for each teacher with more than 5 years of experience.
Salary Boosts from Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)
HB2 also expanded funding for the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program, a merit-based initiative designed to boost teacher salaries. Districts implementing TIA must use the additional funds to increase teachers' base salaries from the previous year. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, these increases must become a permanent part of a teacher's base pay. For instance, Dallas ISD has leveraged HB2 and the TIA to further enhance its existing Teacher Excellence Initiative.
How Much Do Substitute Teachers in Texas Get Paid?
Substitute teacher rates vary across the state from $80 to $125 per day. Some districts offer a standard flat rate for substitutes while other districts offer varied rates based on whether or not the candidate holds a teaching certification or a bachelor’s degree.
For example, Royse City ISD pays substitute teachers based on their qualifications: certified teachers receive $125 daily, uncertified substitutes with a bachelor's degree receive $110, and those without a degree get $100 per day.
How Much Do Paraprofessionals Get Paid in Texas?
The average annual salary for a paraprofessional is around $31,924. ZipRecrutier reports that the average hourly pay for paraprofessionals in Texas is $15.35 per hour.Â
Salaries for paraprofessionals vary based on the amount of days employees are contracted to work as well as their pay grade. In Irving ISD, campus secretaries at the middle and high school level have an average salary of $42,081, while special education paraprofessionals earn an average of $25,888.
What things can I do to increase my salary?
Teachers looking to increase their income have several opportunities, from pursuing side hustles to taking on extra duties that offer additional stipends, such as coaching or sponsoring activities.
Many districts also offer additional stipends, typically ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, for roles such as departmental leads, curriculum leads, and mentor teachers.
Athletic coaching can significantly boost a teacher's income, with stipends typically ranging from $2,000 to over $5,000 annually. For instance, at Bastrop ISD, head coaches can earn an additional $4,000 to $7,245, while assistant coaches receive $2,625 to $3,490 on top of their base salary.
Teachers in fine arts and those sponsoring student activities can also earn significant extra duty stipends. For example, band directors and choir directors often receive additional pay. In Northwest ISD, a high school band director earns an extra $6,500, while a high school choir teacher receives an additional $3,000. Furthermore, student activity sponsors for groups like UIL, cheerleading, and student council are also compensated with extra duty stipends.
Common side hustles for teachers
Many teachers also take on side hustles to supplement their income. A 2022 poll by the Charles Butt Foundation revealed that 52% of Texas teachers work a second job, with 89% of those teachers holding their second job during the school year.
Many teachers find work in education related side jobs, which allow educators to capitalize on their strengths they’ve developed in the classroom- instruction, classroom management, and lesson planning.
Etsy & Teachers Pay Teachers
For many educators, platforms such as Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy have been a game changer, offering a way to generate passive income by selling their own classroom lessons and materials.
Tutoring
Teachers can also earn extra income by tutoring, either by applying to local companies or by advertising their services on social media and in local community and neighborhood groups. Online tutoring is also a common side hustle. Companies like PrepNow and Varsity Tutors offer tutoring opportunities to prepare students for standardized tests- SAT, ACT, and STAAR.
Writing and Content Creation
Teachers can find paid writing opportunities with nonprofits and educational consulting companies, which are consistently seeking educators to contribute to their blogs and develop new content.
Direct Selling Opportunities
Some teachers also choose to supplement their income by participating in multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, such as Mary Kay or Plexus, which involve selling products directly to consumers and recruiting new members to join your team.
Job Outlook for Texas Teachers
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the demand for teachers in Texas is expected to increase by 11%. Districts across the state are facing an increased need for qualified teachers, creating opportunities for individuals considering a career in education
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Frequently Asked Questions
The average starting salary is $48,526, but it varies by district and qualifications.
Urban districts often pay more due to higher funding and cost of living.
Yes. Many districts offer stipends ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 for advanced degrees.
TIA is a Texas program that boosts teacher pay based on performance and qualifications.
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