Analysis also shows fewer than half of school employees are classroom teachers
School administrators across Utah earn, on average, 61% more than classroom teachers, according to a new statewide analysis of public school finances released today by the Utah Taxpayers Association.
The report finds that administrator salaries average 161% of teacher pay across all 41 school districts. At the same time, classroom teachers make up just 45% of total school staff on average, highlighting how education dollars are distributed between instruction and administrative functions.
The Utah School Spending Report, based on official data from the Utah State Board of Education and the Utah State Tax Commission, provides a comprehensive, district-by-district look at how billions in taxpayer dollars are spent in public education.
Among the report’s key findings:
- Administrator pay averages 161% of teacher salaries statewide, a gap that persists across every district.
- Classroom teachers account for only 45% of total school staff, meaning a majority of employees work outside direct classroom instruction.
- Per-student spending varies dramatically, ranging from roughly $12,000 in larger districts to more than $47,000 in smaller districts, depending on location and enrollment.
- The weighted-average teacher salary is $71,546, though compensation levels vary significantly by district.
“Taxpayers expect education dollars to be focused on student outcomes in the classrooms,” said Utah Taxpayers Association President Billy Hesterman. “When administrators are paid significantly more than teachers and fewer than half of school employees are in the classroom, it raises important questions about how that is being accomplished.”
The report also details revenue sources, property tax burdens, and spending across major categories such as instruction, administration, and student services. Statewide, instruction accounts for about 64% of general fund spending, though the share allocated to administration and support services varies by district.
The full report, for all 41 school districts and 113 charter schools, is available here.
The Utah Taxpayers Association is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting fiscal responsibility and limited government in Utah since 1922.
