Teacher pay scales in southeast v. Wake County

Here's how much teachers in Atlanta (Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb), Nashville, Jacksonville, Richmond and Virginia Beach earn over a 30-year career, compared to Wake.

2025-26 pay scales   2026-27 pay scales

How we did it: WRAL News used U.S. Census Bureau data to identify five other southeastern metropolitan areas with comparable costs of living. We accessed salary schedules for each district and used the most common teacher schedule to compare. Duval County Public Schools bases a portion of pay on performance, so its data assumes each teacher receives an additional about $1,000 each year for an average effectiveness score. Districts can also vary in pay based on the position one holds, a degree earned, alumni status and other certifications. WRAL News did not include those extra payments because they can vary and are not received by most teachers. Figures additionally don't include pay for extra duties, such as coaching.
Chart: Emily Walkenhorst/WRAL NewsSource: Various school systemsGet the data