South Carolina teachers have good reason to be upset. They make far less than the national average, recent SC School Report Card data shows. The average teacher in SC makes $53,677 compared to the nationwide average of $60,483 in 2018. Lexington County teachers average even less. Though the cost of living is relatively low here, it increases each year, unlike some teachers’ salaries. 2 of the county’s 5 school districts experienced drops in the average annual teacher salary.

• District 4 in Gaston and Swansea saw the average salary fall to $46,340, down $116 over the previous year.

• District 5 in Irmo and Chapin fell to $54,160, down $863. Despite the drop, it is still Lexington County’s highest-paying district for teachers. Average salaries for the other 3 districts saw increases between 1-1.02%.

• District 1 rose $898 per year to $52,689.

• District 2 rose $205 to $49,037 per year.

• District 3 rose $1,373 to $48,839.