About NEA's Salary Initiative

As the national voice of more than 3.2 million public education employees, NEA knows that too many educators have been denied professional pay for too long. Attracting and retaining qualified school staff -- K-12 teachers, higher education faculty, and education support professionals (ESPs) -- requires salaries that are competitive with those in comparable professions. 

Through its nationwide salary initiative, which emerges from state-level campaigns already underway, NEA is pushing for

• a $40,000 starting salary for all pre-K-12 teachers,
• appropriate pay for all higher education faculty and staff, and
• an appropriate living wage as starting pay for all education support professionals.

That $40,000 goal is only a floor. NEA will continually work with its state affiliates to maintain competitive starting, mid-career, and top salaries that reflect a simple fact: Educators are "worth it," especially in light of the changing demands and responsibilities of their jobs.

This area of NEA's Web site contains resources for Association leaders, members, parents and community members who are contemplating, planning, or engaged in statewide or local salary initiatives.

To contact NEA salary campaign staff, email collectivebargaining@nea.org.