The Charleston county, South Carolina teacher pay scale is based on education level and years of experience. For the 2024-2025 school year, starting salaries are $40,000 for those with a bachelor’s degree and $50,000 for those with a master’s degree. Teachers with advanced degrees and more experience earn more under the state’s salary schedule.
About Charleston County School District (CCSD)
The Charleston County School District (CCSD) is one of the largest school districts in South Carolina, serving over 50,000 students across more than 80 schools. We want to offer competitive teacher salaries to attract and retain great teachers. The board approved recent pay increases so CCSD can remain one of the highest paying school districts in the Southeast. This is part of our bigger effort to improve student outcomes and teacher work environment.
How the Teacher Pay Scale Works
The teacher pay scale in Charleston County is based on education level and years of experience. Pay steps are the increases over time. Entry level teachers with a bachelor’s degree start at $40,000, those with a master’s degree start at $50,000. Those with doctorates earn even more. The salary schedule is adjusted annually for inflation, budget changes and state funding.
2024-2025 school year:
| Years of Experience | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | $64,782 | $71,782 | $78,282 |
| 15 | $70,191 | $77,191 | $83,691 |
| 25 | $79,930 | $86,930 | $93,430 |
| 40 | $96,767 | $103,767 | $110,267 |
Higher salaries for teachers with advanced degrees and more experience. The recent pay increases are to make CCSD the most competitive district in the southeast.
What Affects Teacher Salaries in Charleston County
- Education Level: Higher degrees (master’s and doctorates) = more pay.
- Experience: More years of experience = more pay.* State and District Budget: Funding from state and federal sources affects salary schedules.
- Cost of Living: Adjustments are made to keep up with Charleston living costs.
- Recruitment Goals: To attract and retain teachers, especially in hard-to-fill subjects.
CCSD’s five-year financial model, developed by Daniel Prentice, shows revenue growth without a tax increase. This means continued salary increases without cutting existing programs.
Comparison to Other Districts & States
CCSD’s salary increases make it the leader among southeastern school districts. Compared to other major cities like Atlanta and Charlotte, Charleston County offers more competitive salaries for teachers. This is to reduce the number of teachers who need to work a third job to afford rent and other living expenses.
Future Plans
CCSD has made big strides in teacher pay in recent years. To reduce teacher vacancies and improve student outcomes, the district plans to continue to offer higher salaries through revenue growth not tax increases. Future plans include expanding employee daycare benefits to support teachers.
Popular Questions
Below are common questions we get asked about this topic.
How does CCSD’s teacher pay compare to other major cities in the Southeast?
CCSD’s proposed pay increase would make it the leader across the southeast region, higher than cities like Atlanta and Charlotte.
Are there any other benefits being considered for CCSD teachers?
Yes, CCSD is considering employee daycare as a benefit starting in Fiscal Year 2026.
How has the recent pay increase affected teacher vacancies in CCSD?
According to Superintendent Huggins, CCSD started the 2024-25 school year with almost zero teacher vacancies, partly due to increased compensation.
How does CCSD fund these big pay raises without increasing taxes?
CCSD’s five-year financial model shows revenue growth, so funding for teacher compensation increases without tax increases or budget cuts.
Are there incentives for teachers in high-need subjects or schools?
Not explicitly mentioned, but CCSD should consider this to attract and retain teachers in critical areas.
