Are Alaska teacher salaries competitive?

Abstract

This paper explores how Alaska teacher salaries compare to the national average, between 1969 and 2021, adjusted for cost of living differences. It examines trends in salaries of Alaska and US teachers adjusted for inflation, and how the salary differentials have changed over time. The analysis reveals that Alaska teacher salaries have been lower than competitive levels for the past several decades, although the emerging national teacher shortage has increased the challenge that less competitive salaries pose for recruiting and retaining Alaska teachers. The paper discusses the implications of this trend, with attention to hiring and retaining teachers in Alaska schools.