South Carolina sees continued drop in teacher departures as vacancies reach new low

South Carolina has reported a decline in teacher departures for the third consecutive year, according to the 2025 Educator Supply and Demand Report. The report indicates that statewide teacher vacancies have reached their lowest level in recent years.

State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver commented on the findings: “Teachers are the heartbeat of our schools. When they thrive, students soar. Everything starts with great educators—and that’s why supporting, equipping, and rewarding them remains my top priority,” said Weaver. “This year’s Supply and Demand Report proves that our shared efforts are working. Together with the General Assembly and the Governor, we’re delivering meaningful results: strategic pay raises, the Educator Assistance Act, and our Free to Focus initiative are restoring the time, respect, and support teachers deserve. I’m encouraged by this momentum—but we won’t stop until every South Carolina classroom is led by a high-quality educator shaping a child’s future.”

Since 2019, starting teacher salaries in South Carolina have increased by 52%, making them competitive with other Southeastern states. For the next budget cycle, Weaver is proposing an additional $2,000 increase across all levels of the statewide salary schedule. If approved, this would raise starting teacher pay to $50,500.

The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is also expanding its Strategic Compensation Pilot program into its second year to recognize teachers who demonstrate excellence.

Weaver plans to request funding from the General Assembly for a Career Ladder Pilot Program based on recommendations from her administration’s START Report. This program aims to provide structured advancement opportunities for high-performing teachers so they can take on leadership roles while remaining in classrooms.

Research from SC-TEACHER shows that student behavior issues contribute significantly to teacher attrition in South Carolina. Building on policies such as Free to Focus—which seeks to reduce distractions—Weaver will seek funding for educational initiatives aimed at teaching students in grades three through eight about how smartphone use and social media can affect mental health and academic performance.

The report notes that while these state-level figures are promising, more detailed district-level data is needed for further analysis regarding enrollment trends and specific workforce needs.

Despite these qualifiers, recent research supports that South Carolina's strategies are having a positive effect on both recruitment and retention of educators. Under Weaver's leadership, SCDE intends to continue implementing policies designed to strengthen support for teachers across the state.