Oklahoma teacher pay jumps following statewide increase

Federal estimates show a statewide teacher pay increase last year boosted Oklahoma educator salaries from 49th to the 34th highest in the nation.

The National Education Association’s yearly Rankings and Estimates found the median income for Oklahoma educators jumped 13.2% from $46,300 in the 2017-18 academic year to a current average of $52,412.

State-paid benefits, such as retirement and health care premiums, were included in the estimates.

In March 2018, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin approved the largest educator pay increase in the state’s history. The governor’s authorization came as Oklahoma’s largest teacher union conducted a statewide walkout over demands for more education spending.

The springtime walkout was part of a nationwide rebellion of teachers, which included Kentucky, West Virginia and Arizona.