Teachers in the massive Los Angeles Unified School District celebrated in April after winning a 14% raise on average over two years, the result of arduous negotiations and the threat of a coordinated strike by three unions representing distinct types of workers within the district.
It was a critical step forward for LAUSD educators, albeit on a contract that expires in June of 2027, meaning negotiations on another deal aren’t far off. But even with hard-fought wins at the bargaining table, teacher pay in the L.A. area isn’t keeping up with the rising cost of living — and it continues to fall behind the salaries of similarly educated peers who are choosing different, better-paying professions.
