The value of the same teacher wage differs across states because cost of living differs, so the report adjusts starting salaries using Regional Price Parities¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2022 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Because purchasing power is not equivalent across states, the report adjusts starting salaries for state cost of living to make cross-state comparisons more meaningful. → Carver-Thomas 2022

Evidence¶

Carver-Thomas 2022¶

Carver-Thomas, D., & Patrick, S. (2022). Understanding Teacher Compensation: A State-by-State Analysis. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/443.847

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Methodological rationale in the report's cost-of-living section: "the value of the same wage differs based on the local cost of living", so adjusted comparisons are described as more meaningful across states. Adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities.

"The purchasing power of a dollar is not equivalent across states. As a result, the value of the same wage differs based on the local cost of living."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• In 2017, the cost-of-living-adjusted starting teacher salary was higher in rural Utah districts, but the average scheduled teacher salary was lower in rural than non-rural districts — related
• After accounting for teacher and school characteristics, each $1,000 increase in cost-of-living-adjusted salary is associated with about a 0.34 percentage-point decrease in turnover probability — related
• Districts' prior-year teacher turnover was negatively associated with certification rates, and certification rates tend to be higher where beginning teacher salaries are higher — related
• Teacher salaries influence entry, supply, and retention in teaching — a broader claim this one bears on