Washington (July 24, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today introduced the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, legislation that would set a minimum wage for school staff of $45,000 per year, or $30 per hour.
“Paraprofessionals and education support staff make our schools safe, healthy places where all students can learn, grow, and thrive. They are a critical part of our education infrastructure, and we must invest in them the way they invest in our students, their families, and their communities,” said Senator Markey, who earlier today participated in a town hall at the U.S. Capitol with more than 100 educators and educational leaders to discuss the educator pay crisis. “As Trump and Republicans work to cut public education and attack educators across the country, I am proud to introduce this legislation, which will uplift paraprofessionals and education support staff and give them the support and resources they need to succeed.”
Several educational leaders voiced their support for the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act.
“Every day, we fight for our paraprofessionals and school-related personnel who are not paid enough; they work under tough conditions, and many are subject to violence during the workday. Too many must work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Given the crucial role that PSRPs play in classrooms and the invaluable support they give to the students they serve, securing commensurate compensation and respect is critical. We are grateful to Sen. Markey for his commitment to paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, school office staff, school food service workers and all the school staff who make our schools run. Do you think teachers and principals could do their jobs without PSRPs? The answer is ‘no.’ Sen. Markey’s bill, the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, would guarantee that the more than 370,000 members who make up the AFT’s PSRP division would have access to a family-sustaining wage. We look forward to moving this bill forward in Congress,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
“Paraprofessionals play an invaluable role in our classrooms and are at the heart of our public school -- helping students learn, grow, and meet their basic needs,” said Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. “Outside of the classroom, they're important members of the community, many have kids and grandkids in the schools and live in the communities they serve. For far too long, paraprofessionals have been forced to work multiple jobs, or rely on public assistance, just to make ends meet. One job should be enough. It's time our paraprofessionals receive the fair wages, benefits, and respect that reflects the important work they do every day.”
“Education Support Professionals strengthen our schools and communities by making sure our students are safe, healthy and ready to learn every day. But too many of these educators are forced to work two or three jobs to support their families, when one job should be enough. By passing the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, Congress will show they recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our ESPs – both inside and outside the classroom. We want to thank Senator Ed Markey for introducing this legislation, and we urge Congress to act swiftly in passing it to demonstrate to our Education Support Professionals that, as a nation, we respect and value all they do for our students,” said Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association. “As the Trump administration continues to take a wrecking ball to public education and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America, this legislation is more important than ever to ensure our students get the support they need.”
“An Education Support Professional told us how one of her students had an after-school job at a fast-food restaurant that paid more per hour than this district was paying veteran ESPs. This is shameful. ESPs play an increasingly vital role in our public schools, yet in too many districts across Massachusetts they do not earn a living wage. We have heard countless stories from ESPs who love working with their students but cannot afford to keep their school jobs. Senator Markey’s bill is a sensible and responsible approach to correcting a serious injustice in our public schools. By establishing a floor upon which to build a real living wage, this legislation will improve learning conditions – especially for our most vulnerable students – by stabilizing the education workforce,” said Max Page, President, and Deb McCarthy, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
The bill is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
The bill is endorsed by the National Education Association, SEIU, American Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, Council for Exceptional Children, EdTrust, and National Women’s Law Center.
On July 17, 2025, Senator Markey reintroduced the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, legislation that would establish higher wages, career pipelines, and professional development opportunities for school paraeducators. In April 2025, Senator Markey and Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights.
On March 20, Senator Markey slammed Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education. On March 11, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate Floor to spotlight Trump’s plan to gut the Department. On February 27, Senator Markey introduced the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, which would prevent any cuts to federal education formula funding during the Trump administration. On February 10, Senator Markey held a press conference in Boston with Massachusetts educators and teachers’ unions on Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department, and the impact on Massachusetts students, educators, and communities.
On February 6, 2025, Senator Markey, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released a joint statement after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education.
In September 2023, Senator Markey introduced the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, legislation that would invest $1.6 trillion over the next decade in public and Bureau of Indian Education schools to upgrade every public school building in the country; reduce hazardous pollution; give schools the resources to hire hundreds of thousands of educators, paraprofessionals, and counselors; invest in schools serving low-income students; and fully fund education for students with disabilities.
Senator Markey first introduced the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights in November 2023.
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