US Teachers Will Spend $3.35 Billion of Their Own Money on Classroom Expenses in 2024-25 School Year

The 2024-25 school year has been underway in most states for several weeks now, and teachers across the United States are already digging deep into their own pockets to ensure their classrooms remain equipped and inviting.

Despite ongoing debates about educational funding, the financial burden on educators continues to grow, with an estimated $3.35 billion expected to be spent by teachers on classroom supplies for the 2024-25 academic year.

The educator expense deduction remains stagnant at $300 — unchanged and unadjusted for inflation or increasing costs since last year. This cap is woefully inadequate when compared to the actual expenses faced by teachers today.

Our latest research indicates that the average teacher is expected to spend approximately $883.60 this year on various classroom necessities, from educational tools to basic supplies.

This figure represents a modest increase from the previous year but shows a persistent upward trend in out-of-pocket spending.

The mounting financial pressures from personal expenses for classroom supplies, along with stagnant salaries that haven’t kept up with inflation, contribute heavily to teachers feeling undervalued and overstressed. These economic burdens are pushing a considerable number of educators to consider abandoning the profession due to inadequate financial support and an overwhelming sense of neglect.

Where the Money Goes

• Non-consumable Supplies: Teachers are set to spend an average of $208.53 on durable items like books and educational software, investments that often benefit students year after year.
• Classroom Decor: An inviting classroom environment is key to fostering learning, prompting educators to allocate an average of $185.56 to adorn their spaces.
• Consumable Supplies: Essential items such as pens, pencils, and paper will account for $153.75 of the average teacher’s spending, underscoring the basic needs that school budgets often fail to meet.
• Food & Snacks: Recognizing the importance of well-nourished students, teachers will likely spend about $130.77 providing snacks for those who may otherwise go without.
• Prizes: To motivate and reward their students, teachers are expected to spend around $129.01 on various incentives.
• Cleaning Supplies: Health remains a priority in the post-pandemic classroom, with $75.99 earmarked for sanitizers and disinfectants.

Here’s a full breakdown of the estimated total teacher spending by state in 2024:

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Scott Winstead

Scott Winstead, our founder, has championed eLearning technology for more than a decade and a half. His extensive expertise in instructional design has equipped him with the know-how to craft compelling online learning journeys. From career advice for aspiring instructional designers to hands-on reviews of audio and video production tools for creating courses, Scott is passionate about all aspects of eLearning development.

Scott is also a contributor to numerous top industry publications, including eLearning Industry and the TalentLMS Blog, as well as a trusted expert source whose analysis has been quoted and referenced in the LA Times, Fox Business, Houston Chronicle, NEA Today, and others.

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