All Lexington County school districts have finalized their 2025-26 general fund budget, so what is the starting pay for teachers in each district?

South Carolina lawmakers approved a $1,500 increase to the state minimum starting salary for certified teachers, raising it to $48,500.

“Eight years ago, the minimum starting salary of a teacher in South Carolina was $30,113; the average teacher salary was below the Southeastern average,” Gov. Henry McMaster said during a January 2025 meeting. “At that time, I proposed that we begin raising the minimum starting teacher salary, as much as possible each year, with the goal of raising it to at least $50,000 by 2026.”

Lexington County School District One approved a $3,000 increase, setting its starting teacher salary at $52,000 for the upcoming school year. The previous year starting salary was $49,000.

In October 2024, a newly created salary study committee for Lexington One worked to see how it can further retain and recruit teachers. The committee primarily focused on what the district’s salary scale should be compared to the state scale. 

The committee recommended that the district maintain a $2,000 cushion above the starting salary on the state minimum scale, ensuring the district is competitive with other schools in the Midlands.

Lexington County School District Two increased its starting teacher salary by $1,000, raising it to $51,000. The district’s approved 2025–26 budget allocates around 84% to salaries and fringe benefits.

During a Lexington Two board meeting, Chief Financial Officer Sky Strickland mentioned the salary schedule does not reduce teacher compensation, nor will a teacher earn less in the 2025-26 school year than the prior school year.

Lexington County School District Three approved a $2,000 increase to the teacher starting salary, which totaled $49,500. Last school year, the salary was set to $47,500.

“Teachers who are awaiting their South Carolina teacher certificate, including new graduates and hires with teacher certificates from other states, will be classified as ‘pending South Carolina certification’ and will be based on a flat annual rate of $43,000 (for 190 days),” a public document from the district reads.

Once teachers obtain their required certificate, their salary will be adjusted to the appropriate level on the salary schedule. 

Lexington County School District Four raised the teacher starting salary by $1,500, setting it to $51,500.

Lexington-Richland School District Five increased the salary to $50,992.08, which is over a $3,000 increase compared to the 2024-25 salary, which was $47,500.

In January 2025, Lexington-Richland Five introduced the New Educator Retention Incentive (NERI) for new educators joining their team. 

This incentive offers new educators with up to two years of prior teaching experience a $2,500 bonus for up to three full school years. The eligibility for this bonus concludes after the completion of teaching for three years.

This incentive can be paid in two different ways. One option is direct payment, where the educator receives $1,000 during the first semester and $1,500 during the second semester. Alternatively, the incentive can be used to reduce student loan debt, with the district paying the full $2,500 directly to the educator’s qualifying student loan.

The district also gives permanent employees $1,000 each in November during American Education Week.