TSTA Survey: 63% of Texas Teachers Considering Leaving Profession Despite 2025’s Pay Hikes

A year after Texas lawmakers approved teacher pay raises, morale hasn’t recovered, according to a new Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) survey (press release).

Sixty-three percent of TSTA teacher members said they were seriously considering leaving the profession this spring — nearly identical to the 65 percent who said the same in 2024, before the raises took effect.

Moonlighting

One-third of respondents reported taking extra jobs during the school year to make ends meet, the same rate as two years ago.

Those moonlighting worked an average of 22 hours a week at second jobs, and 79 percent said the extra work hurt their teaching quality.

The 2025 raises boosted average Texas teacher pay by more than $4,000 — to $68,000 a year — but the state still trails the national average of $76,500-plus by over $8,500, according to National Education Association data (article).

“The overdue teacher raises provided by lawmakers in 2025 were inadequate and did little, if anything, to raise teachers’ morale or encourage them to continue teaching,” TSTA President Linda Estrada said.

Unreimbursed School Supplies

Teachers also reported spending $841 a year on unreimbursed school supplies and $409 a month out of pocket on health insurance.

About the Survey

The online survey of 512 TSTA members, part of a Sam Houston State University longitudinal study dating to 1980, was conducted at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Teachers surveyed were from all grade levels and represented urban, suburban and rural school districts. Their average classroom experience was 7.7 years. Sixty-one percent were the major income earners for their households.

The survey is normally conducted every two years.