New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has voiced her support for recently passed legislation that will increase teacher pay across the state.

Senate Bill 1 passed the state Senate unanimously and will increase teacher base pay by an average of 20%, according to a press release. 

“New Mexico educators deserve better compensation; it’s as simple as that – and we are delivering it,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “I want New Mexico teachers to be the best-compensated in the region, and today we are one step closer to making that a reality. I thank the Senate for their support of this initiative, a top priority of mine for the current legislative session.”

This latest increase will mark a rise in teacher base pay by an average of 35% since Gov. Lujan Grisham came into office. In 2019, she authorized a 6% raise for all New Mexico educators; this was followed by another 2% increase in 2020.

The average New Mexico educator's salary will now be approximately $64,000, which is roughly equal to the national average and higher than in states surrounding New Mexico.

Senate Bill 1 was originally sponsored by Senator Mimi Stewart (D-Bernalillo) and Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Catron).