Sen. Bradley files bill in North Carolina Senate to increase teacher pay and restore education-based supplements

A new bill filed by State Sen. Woodson Bradley in the North Carolina Senate aims to boost educator pay and restore compensation for advanced degrees and specialized support staff, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 850 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Pay Teachers What They’re Worth Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill raises North Carolina’s 2026-27 teacher and instructional support salary schedule, sets higher starting and experience-based monthly pay, and restores education-based supplements, including percentage boosts for advanced licenses and flat monthly amounts for six-year and doctoral degrees. It provides specialized supplements for school nurses, counselors, psychologists, speech pathologists and audiologists, and ensures some veteran teachers receive at least what they would have earned under prior pay and longevity systems. The bill appropriates $1.675 billion and $8 million in recurring funds for salaries and supplements, creates a Paid Student Teaching Grant Program with grants up to $5,000 and $2,500 hiring bonuses, and directs the North Carolina Collaboratory to study long-term educator compensation strategies. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Bradley proposed another 84 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Bradley graduated from Hollins University in 1995 with a BA.

Bradley, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 42nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Rachel Hunt.