+$2,531.25
A master's only counts in-field
If you were hired after July 1, 2011, the degree must be in your certification area to earn the supplement.
Lee County teacher salary, 2025-26
The short version
Lee pays new teachers $54,500, tied for 2nd of the 9 Florida districts we track. Experience pays at hire: a teacher with 20+ years is placed $15,048 above a new teacher.
Starting salary
$54,500
Bachelor's, new teacher
With a master's
$57,031
in your certification area
Daily rate
$278
196 contract days
Top of schedule
$69,548
highest published teacher pay
How Lee compares
$60,405
Lee
$54,500
$54,500
$53,159
$51,597
$51,000
$50,000
$48,700
$48,351
What a new hire earns by experience
0-2 yrs
$54,500
3-5 yrs
$56,135
6-8 yrs
$59,031
9-12 yrs
$61,230
13-16 yrs
$63,981
17-19 yrs
$66,094
20+ yrs
$69,548
What this means: Each year of experience you bring is worth about $752 at hire.
How raises work
Lee places new teachers on a Starting Salary Schedule by total years of experience, counting up to 20 years of combined Florida and out-of-state public school teaching.
Florida requires performance-based pay for teachers hired on or after July 1, 2014: raises depend on your annual evaluation, not years of service.
Things to know before you sign
+$15,048
Bring your experience
A teacher with 20+ years is placed at $69,548, 27.6% above a brand-new teacher, so verified prior experience is worth documenting.
Is a master's degree worth it in Lee?
A master's in your certification area adds $2,531.25 a year in Lee. Over a 30-year career that's $75,938 before taxes.
New hire placement
Teachers hired on or after July 1, 2025 (Starting Salary Schedule, 196 days) · 196-day contract
| Years of experience | Bachelor's |
|---|---|
| 0-2 | $54,500 |
| 3-5 | $56,135 |
| 6-8 | $59,031 |
| 9-12 | $61,230 |
| 13-16 | $63,981 |
| 17-19 | $66,094 |
| 20+ | $69,548 |
Advanced degree supplements
- Master's: $2,531.25 a year
- Specialist: $4,050 a year
- Doctorate: $5,062.50 a year
Common questions
How much do Lee County teachers make?
New teachers start at $54,500 in 2025-26 for a 196-day contract. The highest published teacher salary is $69,548.
Do Lee County teachers get paid more with a master's degree?
Yes, $2,531.25 a year, if the degree is in your certification area. Specialist degrees add $4,050 and Doctorates add $5,062.50.
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Reading this schedule
- Starting pay comes from the district's own starting-salary calculator, which labels the figures as estimates. The TALC contract sets the $54,500 minimum effective July 1, 2025.
- Up to 20 years of combined Florida and out-of-state public school experience count toward starting pay. Experience must be documented within 120 days of starting to be credited from day one.
- School counselors, social workers, speech-language pathologists, OT/PT, school nurses, psychologists, licensed mental health professionals, BCBAs and athletic trainers start at $62,500; their related work experience does not raise starting pay.
- Lee has not published its grandfathered or Career Ladder pay tables. Teachers hired before July 1, 2025 stay on the Career Ladder, where moving up a level adds $1,000 to base pay.
- Longevity supplements: $625 at 10-14 years, $1,250 at 15-19, $2,500 at 20-24, $5,000 at 25-29 and $6,250 at 30 or more.
- Other supplements include $4,000 at D- or F-graded schools (Targeted School Support) and at special centers, $200 for teaching in a state high-demand area, and $100 at Title I schools.
- Teacher contract year is 196 days.
Sources
Effective 2025-07-01. Official documents:
- Starting Salary Calculator (Instructional Staff) (www.leeschools.net)
- TALC Contract Article 10 - Compensation (www.leeschools.net)
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