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119-s-2481119th CongressWALLET

Pay Teachers Act

Sponsored By: Senator Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would set national, inflation-indexed minimum pay floors for public school teachers, paraprofessionals, and education support staff. It pairs those pay floors with federal funding, competitive grants, career-ladder programs, and state reporting to raise educator pay and target resource equity.

Show full summary
  • Teachers: Requires States to ensure full-time teachers have a State-determined minimum base salary, with a national first-year floor of $60,000 for 2026–2030 and five-year indexed increases thereafter.
  • Paraprofessionals and support staff: Establishes a $45,000 annual floor for full-time roles and a $30 hourly floor for part-time staff for 2026–2030, backed by a $25.0 billion FY2026 appropriation to States.
  • States and schools: Requires State teacher pay plans, per-pupil spending and five‑year disparity reviews, and grants for career ladders and classroom awards (minimum $1,200 per teacher in high‑need schools), with monitoring and reporting duties for compliance.

*This bill would create new mandatory federal spending — including about $36.8 billion for Title I and $25.0 billion for paraprofessionals in FY2026 plus other program appropriations — and would increase federal outlays.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher pay for paraprofessionals

If enacted, the bill would provide $25 billion in FY2026 (and index amounts thereafter) to help States raise pay for paraprofessionals and education support staff. For FY2026–2030 full-time staff would have a national floor of at least $45,000 and part-time staff at least $30.00 per hour. States must pass most funds to local school districts (at least 98 percent) and ensure contracted workers meet State minimums. States must submit timelines so increases occur within a few years and funds must supplement, not replace, State/local pay.

Higher teacher pay and career ladders

If enacted, the bill would require States to set a minimum first-year teacher salary of $60,000 for FY2026–2030 and raise that floor every five years by inflation or 2 percent. States would create career ladders that give teachers higher pay as they take on more responsibilities and gain experience. The bill would fund annual classroom awards (at least $1,200 for teachers in eligible high-need schools and $1,000 for other eligible teachers) and require a $10,000 minimum career-ladder increase for eligible teachers in certain high-need schools. States would send a Teacher Pay Plan to the Education Secretary and could apply for a multi-year extension if they meet strict low-pay criteria. The bill would preserve collective bargaining rights and the Secretary must issue final rules within one year.

Big new federal school funding

If enacted, the bill would add large, mandatory FY2026 appropriations and index them to inflation. Examples include about $36.8 billion for Title I Part A, $1.47 billion for Impact Aid, $1.13 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education, $440 million for Rural Education, $300 million for IDEA Part D personnel development, $200 million for teacher and leader incentives, and $150 million for Hawkins Centers. The bill also sets an annual CPI-based adjustment rule and raises the State Title I administrative baseline to $1.2 million.

Grants to grow the teacher pipeline

If enacted, the bill would fund Grow Your Own partnership grants to create paid, year-long school-based teacher and leader training with advising, tutoring, and scholarships. The bill would also fund teacher-preparation grants, including prioritizing residencies and Grow Your Own programs (about $550 million in FY2026 for partnership programs and $100 million for educator development grants). Programs must recruit paraprofessionals, local community members, and underrepresented candidates and require completion of state certification.

School funding equity and transparency

If enacted, the bill would require States to review school funding at least every five years and act to raise spending at schools serving the most low-income students to match higher-spending districts. States must report per-pupil spending by school and LEA and tell parents if their school's spending is below district and State averages. The bill lets States reserve up to 0.5% of Part A for equity work, directs a National Academies study (funded in FY2026), and provides $3 million initially for technical help to improve educator data and equitable teacher distribution.

State commissions to modernize teaching

If enacted, the bill would fund competitive State Commissions with $50 million per year from FY2026–2030 to study and recommend ways to modernize the teaching profession. The Secretary would reserve small shares for outreach and technical help. Commissions must include teachers and other stakeholders and publish a report within five years.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

VT • I

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/28/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

  • Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 10/22/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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