Capitol News

A recent report from the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at Michigan State University has examined teacher compensation in Michigan, revealing that salaries for educators in the state are below national averages. The report, titled "Teacher Compensation in Michigan: Recent Trends and Public Opinion," compares Michigan's teacher salaries with those of other states.

The findings indicate that while Michigan's average teacher salaries are comparable to neighboring states, they have dipped slightly below the national average. When adjusted for inflation, these salaries have seen a significant decline over the past two decades. This decrease is more pronounced in Michigan than in most other states. Furthermore, the report notes that teachers in Michigan earn 20.7% less on average than other college graduates with similar education and experience levels.

Starting salaries for new teachers in Michigan rank among the lowest nationwide and lag behind all neighboring states. As many states with previously low starting salaries have recently increased teacher pay, there is concern that Michigan may struggle to attract and retain new talent.

Despite these challenges, survey findings within the report show strong public support for raising teacher salaries in Michigan, especially for new teachers. There is a consensus among Michiganders that starting salaries should be increased by nearly $10,000, although support for raising overall average salaries is more moderate.

"Michigan’s average teacher salaries have not kept pace with inflation, and starting salaries are lower in Michigan than most other states," said Jason Burns, EPIC research specialist and lead author of the report. "These trends have implications for the state’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality educators, which is crucial for supporting student learning."

While the report does not delve into specific causes of lower teacher pay, researchers suggest school funding policies over recent decades as a potential factor contributing to these issues.

"School funding in Michigan has only started to catch up recently after many years of low investments," Burns added.

Many states with lower teacher pay have enacted or are considering policies to universally raise compensation. For instance, Arkansas legislators raised their minimum teacher salary from $36,000 to $50,000 for the 2023-24 school year.

"Michigan is a state with strong traditions of local control, and setting state-level policies about teacher compensation has proven to be challenging," said Madeline Mavrogordato, an associate professor at MSU College of Education and co-author of the report.

As Michigan faces significant teacher shortages while aiming to support students' academic recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring classrooms are led by qualified teachers remains critical. Research consistently highlights teachers' importance in improving student outcomes; however, shortages threaten these efforts. The findings emphasize that competitive compensation is vital for attracting and retaining quality educators.

Read the full report: Teacher Compensation in Michigan: Recent Trends and Public Opinion.