Starting teacher salaries in the Valley for 2025-26 academic year

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HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The 89th Texas Legislature earlier this year passed House Bill 2, which will provide $8.5 billion in funds to Texas public education.

Approximately $4 billion of the total $8.5 billion approved funds in House Bill 2 will be allocated for teacher and staff pay raises across the state.

The new allocations are now being reflected in school district compensation plans for the upcoming school year across the Rio Grande Valley.

Here are some of the starting salaries for teachers in the region, based on the respective school district.

Brownsville ISD

Brownsville Independent School District approved a budget for the 2025-2026 school year that will allow teachers and district employees to receive a pay increase.

Teachers with one to two years of experience will receive a $1,250 increase. Those with three to four years of experience will receive $2,500, and those with 5 years or more, $5,000.

Starting pay for teachers will be set at $56,000.

McAllen ISD

The McAllen Independent School District's compensation plan for the 2025-2026 school year was approved in June.

Teachers with experience will see an annual pay increase based on their experience.

$1,560 for one to two years of experience
$2,500 for three to four years of experience
$5,000 for five plus years of experience

Starting pay for teachers at McAllen ISD will be set at $55,300.

Harlingen CISD

A starting teacher's salary at Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District has increased to $55,000, according to the district.

The pay raise was approved on June 25 and will include pay raises for all Harlingen CISD employees for the 2025-2026 school year.

Teachers with one to two years of experience will receive an increase of $1,200 and $1,400, respectively.

Teachers with three to four years of experience will receive an increase of $2,500, and those with five or more years will receive an increase of $5,000.

La Feria ISD

The La Feria Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the compensation plan and pay raises for all staff for the 2025-2026 school year during a special board meeting held in June.

Starting pay for first-year teachers starts at $52,500 and will increase depending on experience.

$2,100 increase for one to two years of experience
$4,000 increase for three to four years of experience
$8,000 increase for five or more years of experience

Mission ISD

The Mission Independent School District 2025-2026 compensation plan shows an increased starting teacher salary of $59,300.

Experienced teachers will receive additional annual pay increases.

$1,500 increase for one to two years of experience
$2,500 increase for three to four years of experience
$5,000 increase for five plus years of experience

Raymondville ISD

The Raymondville Independent School District school board approved a budget for the 2025–2026 school year that includes pay raises for all teachers and staff.

The starting salary for teachers with no experience starts at $53,300 and will increase annually.

$1,700 increase for one to two years of experience
$4,000 increase for three to four years of experience
$8,000 increase for five plus years of experience

San Benito ISD

First-year teachers at San Benito Independent School District will now receive an increased starting salary of $55,000, according to the school district website.

The salary increase was approved in June at a school board meeting and will also apply to non-teaching professionals and hourly staff.

Teachers within their first four years will get a $2,500 annual salary increase, and teachers with five or more years of experience will receive a $5,000 raise.

Sharyland ISD

According to the Sharyland Independent School District website, the school board has approved a salary increase for all staff.

The 2025-2026 base pay for first-year teachers starts at $56,250, a $1,750 raise from the 2024-2025 school year.

Valley View ISD

The base pay at Valley View Independent School District for a new teacher with zero experience begins at $42,833, according to the school district website.

The starting salary varies based on contract length and level of education.

10-month contract: $42,833 base pay with bachelor's degree, $43,333 base pay with master's degree
10.5-month contract: $45,124 base pay with bachelor's degree, $45,650 base pay with master's degree
11-month contract: $47,414 base pay with bachelor's degree, $47,914 base pay with master's degree
12-month contract: $51,766 base pay with bachelor's degree, $52,266 base pay with master's degree

Teachers with a master's degree receive an extra $500 annually on top of the base salary.