In a landmark decision, the Iowa House has approved a bill that would lead to the largest teacher pay increase in the state’s history. The legislation raises the minimum teacher salary to $47,500, marking a nearly 50% boost for starting teachers. This move, if enacted, would place Iowa at 12th in the nation for average teacher pay. Governor Kim Reynolds had initially expressed her desire to see starting pay increase to $50,000, a target that this bill aims to achieve by the 2026 school year.
The bipartisan bill also includes pay raises for non-salaried employees such as paras, bus drivers, nutrition workers, and administrative staff.
The legislation passed the House with overwhelming support, setting the stage for potential positive changes in teacher compensation across the state.
