North Carolina’s veteran teachers fared better with this year’s teacher pay scale, after many received no pay grade-based raise at all last year.

Teachers will receive an average 3.3-percent raise in the 2017-18 school year, and legislators say another raise in 2018-19 will bring the combined average to 9.6 percent for those two years.

The new pay scale officially went into effect July 1, after the North Carolina General Assembly passed its budget in late June.

All teachers received some sort of pay grade-based raise this year, as did instructional support and administration, and veteran teachers with 25-plus years received a slight boost, as well. Pay raises ranged from $250 to $3,050 a year.

Teachers with 17-24 years of experience received the largest boosts, especially year 19, which received a $3,050 raise. Years 17, 18, 23 and 24 were allotted $2,000-$2,050 more in their salaries. Teachers with 20 years of experience, however, received substantially less than surrounding pay grades, with their salaries increasing by just $300.

Dr. Don Phipps, superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, said other funding sources were used to pay education faculty and staff, and that freed up the previous funding source for use toward raises, retirement increases and insurance coverage.

“I am very pleased that professionals in public education are receiving more money each month,” Phipps said. “That is one of the issues that we deal with and work to address annually.”

Last year’s General Assembly, with former Gov. Pat McCrory at the helm, came under fire for its teacher pay scale, which largely benefitted teachers with less experience over those with 15 or more years. The year before, the General Assembly also took some heat after it attempted to slash teaching assistant jobs.

Although this year looks more positive, Phipps said there is still work to be done.

“Beginning teachers received raises over recent years to get starting pay to $35K. In this budget, veteran teachers received more,” he said. “I am pleased that over a period of time salaries have risen for everyone, but some more than others. I would like to see the veterans at 25 years plus receive raises in the same percentage amounts.”

Last year’s 25-plus pay grade was capped at $51,000. This year it is capped at $51,300.

Legislators say they hope to increase teachers’ salary average to $55,000 in the next few years.

“It is doable, but it will require an ongoing financial commitment, and I hope we will see that continue over the next few years,” Phipps said.

Numbers listed are based on the pay scale for certified teachers holding bachelor’s degrees.