Atlanta Public Schools paraprofessionals, custodians and bus drivers will receive a 10% raise for the 2025-26 school year.
Approved by the APS Board of Education last month, the raises also include raises for school nurses. Registered nurses will get an increase of 1% raise and licensed practical nurses will get a 2% raise. All APS employees will continue to get annual increases.
In Superintendent Bryan Johnson’s district statement, he said the raises reflect APS’s commitment to investing in the people who keep the schools running and who support students.
The raises can have a positive impact on staff. For example, it can provide financial relief.
The staff pay increase follows the largest district-wide teacher pay increase in APS history of 11%. District leaders say these raises will help APS stay competitive in hiring and keeping staff in different roles and programs.
Nationally, paraprofessionals, custodians and bus drivers earn about $35,000 a year. Many of these workers rely on a second job to make more money.
By implementing this 10% raise, it can reduce loss in crucial jobs. Losing these jobs can disrupt student life and learning environments. These jobs are very important to Midtown because they make transportation, nutrition and learning very accessible to all.
“I think the raises are going to people who deserve them,” junior Kayla Braunstein said. “All of them are very impactful people in the Midtown community, and they help us [students] get through our days.
District officials said about 2500 APS employees will see an increase in their paychecks starting in July 2025. This is the largest wage adjustment for nonteaching staff in recent years.
“Investing in the people who power our schools is essential to fulfilling our mission of academic excellence,” Johnson said.
Paraprofessionals and support staff are usually the first people students see every day, greeting them on buses, cleaning classrooms, serving breakfast and assisting them during instruction. Mostly, the roles require long hours and physical work, but they are historically paid below the state median income. The raise will help support living costs in Atlanta and neighboring areas, while housing prices have increased over 40% in the past five years.
This raise is hoped to recruit more bus drivers, which Georgia has struggled with in recent years since COVID-19. Also, custodial staff hired with experience will ensure better sanitation standards, which benefits student health and safety.
This pay increase will overall create a more stable and supported workforce that helps focus on helping students succeed in an environment. This will also reduce constant pressures about financial strain.
Superintendent Johnson said that the Atlanta Board of Education “affirms the importance of investing in the people who power our mission, and who educate, support, and care for the students of Atlanta Public Schools.”
