South Carolina is making meaningful strides in strengthening its educator workforce. The newly released 2025 Educator Supply and Demand Report shows teacher departures have declined for the third consecutive year under Superintendent Ellen Weaver’s leadership and statewide vacancies have fallen to their lowest level in years.
“Teachers are the heartbeat of our schools. When they thrive, students soar,” Ellen Weaver, state superintendent of education said. “Everything starts will great educators and that’s why supporting, equipping and rewarding them remains my top priority. This year’s Supply and Demand Report proves that our shared efforts are working.”
Weaver said along with the General Assembly and the Governor, the Department of Education’s (SCDE) goal is to deliver strategic pay raises and the respect and support teachers deserve.
“I’m encouraged by this momentum but we won’t stop until every South Carolina classroom is led by a high-quality educator shaping a child’s future,” Weaver said.
Since 2019, South Carolina has increased teacher salaries by 52% and salaries are now competitive with the Southeastern average. For the upcoming budget year cycle, Superintendent Weaver is requesting a $2,000 across-the-board increase to the statewide teacher salary schedule.
The proposal would increase South Carolina’s starting teacher pay to $50,500, further improving recruitment and retention efforts.
In addition, SCDE is also working with school districts to expand participation in the Strategic Compensation Pilot program in its second year. The effort rewards excellence and recognizes teachers making an impact.
According to SCDE, the report offers a valuable snapshot of the South Carolina’s teacher workforce at a statewide level but deeper analysis requires district-level detail and data on enrollment trends, educator positions, working conditions surveys and specific needs.
