Rock Hill raises starting teacher pay again. We compare it to other schools

Starting teacher pay is going up this fall in Rock Hill. It’ll be a while still before other area districts decide whether to follow suit.

The Rock Hill School District voted unanimously on Tuesday to increase its pay by $2,000 across its salary scale. A first-year teacher with a bachelor’s degree would make $54,000 starting in July. That’s a 3.8% increase. Master’s degrees, doctorates and years of experience can increase pay from there.

A first-year teacher with a doctorate would earn $68,000 while a teacher with a bachelor’s degree and 28 years of experience would earn more than $75,000.

The $54,000 starting teacher salary is above the $50,500 statewide minimum pay for next school year that still is in draft form with the state legislature. Other area school districts contacted by The Herald are still working on their budgets for next year and haven’t set pay scales.

Teacher pay around South Carolina

Teacher pay can vary among districts, even with the same starting teacher pay.

Some districts have pay scales that put more money toward teachers who have been there many years. Others have flatter salary growth, but higher starting pay to attract new teachers.

Numerous districts across South Carolina start teacher pay each year at the minimum level required by law, which is $48,500 now.

Here’s a look at how area district starting teacher pay compares in the Rock Hill region, and to the rest of the state.

Note, Charleston County is included as the district with the highest starting pay in the state this year. Many districts across the state pay the minimum statewide rate, also included in the chart below.