Pay Teachers Act

This plan raises pay for people who work in public schools and puts more federal money into schools. It sets a goal that new teachers start at least at $60,000 a year and that pay grows across a career. It also aims to pay paraprofessionals and other school support staff a living wage of at least $45,000 a year or $30 an hour, with states using federal grants to help meet these targets and adjust for local cost of living . States would be on a timeline to meet the teacher pay rules within four years after final regulations, with an option for certain lower‑pay states to follow a longer, supervised path if they show need and make steady progress .

The bill also boosts school funding starting in 2026 for Title I (high‑poverty schools), rural schools, Impact Aid (for federally impacted districts), and Bureau of Indian Education schools, with yearly cost‑of‑living increases . It creates grants for “career ladders” that pay experienced teachers more for added responsibilities and gives teachers annual classroom funds ($1,200 in high‑need schools; $1,000 in others) to buy supplies without paying out of pocket, with states covering 25% of these awards . There’s a $25 billion grant in 2026 (and growing each year) to raise paraprofessional and school staff pay, with most of the money flowing to local districts to lift wages to state‑set minimums within set timelines . The plan also invests in training new teachers and school leaders through teacher residencies and “Grow Your Own” programs, plus other educator development grants, all with ongoing funding that rises with inflation . It protects extra pay like bonuses and stipends and requires that new federal dollars add to, not replace, existing school funds .

Key points

• Who is affected: Public school teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, school aides, librarians, and other staff; students in high‑poverty, rural, federally impacted, and Bureau of Indian Education schools .
• What changes: Minimum teacher starting pay target of $60,000 with career growth; living‑wage floors for paraprofessionals/support staff; teacher career‑ladder pay; annual classroom funds; large, steady federal funding increases for schools and educator training .
• When: Funding begins in fiscal year 2026; states must meet teacher and staff pay timelines within four years of final regulations, with a longer approved path available to some states that start from lower pay levels .