Texas State Employee Pay Raise History

Salary Increases Since the 1970-1971 Biennium

For years, TPEA has advocated for across-the-board pay raises for state employees. This list documents the history of state employee pay increases since the 1970-71 legislative session. Every two years, the state legislature determines employee salary ranges. Here are some additional facts and figures about state employee salaries:

  • How much do state employees get paid? The median salary for Texas state employees is $44,642*.
  • How often do state employees get paid? State employees receive their paychecks once a month, on the first of each month.
  • Have another question? Please contact us.
BIENNIUM PERCENTAGE OR FLAT DOLLAR INCREASE NOTES

1970-1971

10.2%

1972-1973

13.4%

FY1972: The salary schedule was adjusted upward by 3.4%. An additional 3.4% increase came from moving all employees forward one Salary Group.

1974-1975

10.2%–13.6%

FY1974: Salary Groups 2–7 received a 10.2% increase, in addition to a 3.4% longevity increase for employees with five or more years of continuous service. Salary Groups 8–21 received a 6.8% increase.

1976-1977

20.4%–23.8%

FY1976: Salary Groups 2–12 received a 17% increase. Salary Groups 13–21 received a 13.6% increase.

1978-1979

6.8%

1980-1981

10.2%

FY1980: Employees received a 5.1% increase or $50/month, whichever was greater.

1982-1983

17.9%

1984-1985

7.0%

1986-1987

3.0%

FY1987: A 3% increase was approved during regular session, but a special session reduced this to 0.0% due to revenue shortfall.

1988-1989

2.0%

FY1989: Increase contingent upon Comptroller’s certification that enough revenue existed to award this increase.

1990-1991

5.0%

FY1990: All rates increased by 5.0% or $60/month.

1992-1993

6.0%

FY1992: A 2% increase was granted 9/1/91; a 1% increase was granted in August 1992. FY1993: A 3% increase was granted 12/1/92.

1994-1995

0.0%

1996-1997

0.0%

1998-1999

$100/month

2000-2001

$100/month

FY2000: Most employees received $100/month, but Schedule C was completely revised.

2002-2003

4.0%

FY2002: Employees received a 4% increase or $100/month, whichever was greater, if they had completed 12 months of continuous state service. FY2003: The Legislature granted a contingency increase of 3% or $65/month if the Comptroller found sufficient funds. Funds were unavailable.

2004-2005

0.0%
2006-2007 7.0% FY2006: Employees received a 4% increase or minimum of $100/month. FY2007: Employees received a 3% increase or minimum of $50/month.
2008-2009 4.0% FY2008: Employees received a 2% increase or minimum of $50/month. FY2009: Employees received a 2% increase or minimum of $50/month.
2010-2011 $800 one-time retention payment
2012-2013 0.0%
2014-2015 3.00% FY2014: Employees received a 1% increase or minimum of $50/month. FY2015: Employees received a 2% increase or minimum of $50/month.
2016-2017 2.5% FY2016: Employees contributing to the ERS retirement plan received a 2.5% salary increase to offset a higher employee contribution rate (9.5%) to the pension fund.
2018-2019 0.0%  

*Source: Texas Tribune Government Salaries Explorer