Wisconsin Teacher Salaries Tumble 9% Below National Average
| Wisconsin teacher average salaries |
| Year | Rank | Wisconsin | U.S. | % of US avg. |
| 1988-89 | 14 | $30,779 | $29,570 | 104.1% |
| 1989-90 | 16 | $31,921 | $31,166 | 102.4% |
| 1990-91 | 15 | $33,209 | $33,041 | 100.5% |
| 1991-92 | 13 | $35,074 | $34,148 | 102.7% |
| 1992-93 | 15 | $35,926 | $35,000 | 102.6% |
| 1993-94 | 16 | $35,990 | $35,972 | 100.1% |
| 1994-95 | 16 | $37,746 | $36,605 | 103.1% |
| 1995-96 | 15 | $38,182 | $37,685 | 101.3% |
| 1996-97 | 15 | $39,057 | $38,611 | 101.2% |
| 1997-98 | 15 | $39,357 | $39,477 | 99.7% |
| 1998-99 | 16 | $40,657 | $40,582 | 100.2% |
| 1999-00 | 16 | $41,153 | $41,724 | 98.6% |
| 2000-01 | 21 | $42,122 | $43,339 | 97.2% |
| 2001-02 | 22 | $42,232 | $44,499 | 94.9% |
| 2002-03 | 21 | $42,775 | $45,810 | 93.3% |
| 2003-04 | 24 | $42,882 | $46,752 | 91.7% |
| 2004-05 | 25 | $43,466 | $47,750 | 91.0% |
| |
Wisconsin teachers' salaries continue to lose pace with the national
average, according to a report released by the National Education Association.
The average salary for a Wisconsin teacher in 2004-05 was $43,466, approximately
9% below the national average.
The state-by-state report, "Rankings & Estimates: Rankings
of the States 2004 and Estimates of School Statistics 2005," ranks
Wisconsin teacher salaries 25th in the nation for 2004-05. Wisconsin
salaries lag behind neighboring states Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Ohio and Minnesota.
Nationally, teachers' salaries are also stagnating. A typical teacher
earned $47,750 in 2004-05, roughly 2.1% more than the previous year.
In Wisconsin, teachers earned 1.36% more in 2004-05 over 2003-04, which
resulted in a loss of purchasing power once inflation and increasing
costs of living are considered.
Wisconsin is one of five states whose salaries declined more than 5%
in inflation-adjusted dollars during the last decade. WEAC President
Stan Johnson blamed the Qualified Economic Offer law, which restricts
school employees' collective bargaining rights, for the decline. Prior
to the law's passage in 1993, Wisconsin's teacher salaries ranked 15th
in the nation, but have been on a steady decline since.
Rising health care costs have also contributed to the erosion of teacher
compensation. Many teachers during the bargaining process have agreed
to accept cost-saving measures such as three-tiered drug cards or increased
co-pays.
"After more than a decade under the QEO, salaries for Wisconsin
teachers are stagnating and our great schools are in jeopardy. Without
competitive wages and benefits, our best and brightest are leaving the
profession in alarming numbers," Johnson said. "A typical
Wisconsin teacher has a master's degree and 16 years of experience.
Wisconsin teachers also are the most 'highly qualified' in the nation
under strict federal standards," Johnson said. "Yet they earn
far less than their peers outside of the education profession with comparable
experience and education. It's unfair."
Johnson said Wisconsin public schools are consistently ranked among
the best in the nation. For example, Wisconsin students have been first
or tied for first in the nation on the ACT college entrance exams for
the last 15 years.
"We cannot keep our above-average schools with below-average salaries,"
Johnson said. "In order to maintain our great schools, we must
attract and retain quality teachers with competitive pay and benefits.
Our great schools depend on it."
Resource
page on the QEO
Posted July 12, 2005