Pre-K Base Salary Increase

Workforce

Pay Increases

Georgia’s FY2023 and FY2024 budget bills both included an increase in the base salary of state pre-K assistant and lead teachers. These increases were particularly notable for their inclusion of assistant teachers, who have not typically benefitted from pay increases in the past. Prior to the passage of the FY23 legislation, assistant teachers made $16,190 annually (regardless of experience or education). These pay increases were primarily paid for using Georgia State Lottery funds.

Learn More: Georgia FY2023 Budget

Sources:

Georgia House Budget and Research Office. (2023). FY2024 Budget Tracker.

Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. (2022). Overview: 2023 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:

The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning, compensation, and workplace conditions.

Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:

Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.

Learn More about ELS@H Findings