BTU Contract Negotiations
Since February 29, 2024, the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) and School District Leaders have met 28 times and spent over 90 hours negotiating and exchanging proposals. The parties have reached tentative agreement on more than 15 proposals.
The district shared our priority proposals and our financial package with the BTU in May of 2024. Our highest priority has been to lift up our lowest-wage workers, which is why we have offered up to a 20% increase for our paraprofessionals and up to a 28% increase for our Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Specialist.
The average Boston Public School Teacher earns an average of nearly $120,000 while our paraprofessionals in group one make an average of just over $45,000. We have taken an equitable approach to offer more to those who make the least.
We truly value our employees and their commitment and devotion to our students and their success. We will continue to work towards a new contract that provides teachers with the resources they need, increases pay for the lowest-wage workers, centers our highest-needs students, and strengthens outcomes for all our students.
The district looks forward to continued good-faith negotiations with the BTU.
Key Facts
Updates
Data
BPS Wage Proposals for the Average Teacher and Average Paraprofessional
Job Category |
Average Salary |
2% each year for 3 years(6% in total) |
Additional Wages(over 3 years) |
Total Wage Increase |
Total Percent Increase(over 3 years) |
New Salary |
Teachers |
$119,13 |
$7,292 |
N/A |
$7,292 |
6% |
$126,424 |
Paraprofessional (group one) |
$45,264 |
$2,770 |
$4 (hourly) |
$8,516 |
19% |
$53,780 |
Minimum and Maximum Teacher Salary with a Masters Comparisons to Surrounding Districts / School Year 24-25
District |
Minimum Teacher Salary with a Masters |
Maximum Teacher Salary with a Masters |
Notes |
Boston (Schedule A Salary Scale)* |
$ 74,496.00 |
$ 118,880.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 9 years |
Boston |
$ 68,866.00 |
$ 113,251.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 9 years |
Cambridge |
$ 74,687.47 |
$ 119,498.09 |
This includes an 8% increase received in FY25 to extend the school day; Cambridge teachers work 186 days a year compared to Boston's 183 days; Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 10 years. |
Wellesley |
$ 62,008.00 |
$ 114,248.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 16 years |
Brookline |
$ 67,438.00 |
$ 112,544.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 15 years |
Newton |
$ 65,032.46 |
$ 112,054.50 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 14 years |
Watertown |
$ 71,771.00 |
$ 106,825.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 12 years |
Milton |
$ 61,755.00 |
$ 112,507.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 30 years |
Dedham |
$ 68,095.44 |
$ 106,739.85 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 13 years |
Needham |
$ 61,412.00 |
$ 107,606.00 |
Employees reach the top of the salary scale in 13 years |