Login
Introduction
Keystone Policy Center has released a new report revealing the financial hardships facing rural educators, many of whom are earning salaries that don’t meet the basic cost of living. This pay gap is contributing to persistent teacher shortages, disrupted learning environments, and declining educational outcomes in rural schools. The report, Insufficient at any Altitude: Rural Teacher Salaries in Colorado, presents an in-depth look at compensation trends and cost-of-living challenges in rural education. Rural teachers consistently earn less than their peers in urban and suburban areas—often forcing them to take on second jobs or leave the profession altogether.
Through rigorous data analysis and powerful stories from the field, the report sheds light on how stagnant wages and limited support are affecting teacher recruitment, retention, and student success in rural communities.
Key Findings:
- Pay Inequity: Rural teachers earn significantly less than their urban/suburban peers.
- Staffing Struggles: Low salaries hinder the ability of rural districts to attract and retain educators.
- Student Impact: High turnover and under-resourced classrooms reduce educational quality.
- Voices from the Field: The report includes firsthand stories from rural teachers illustrate the emotional and financial toll of working in underfunded systems.
“It’s incredibly challenging to retain anybody in this profession right now, because anybody can go anywhere and get a job that pays more. They can easily go across the border over to Kansas and make close to $20,000 more.”
Abby Pettinger, Vilas School District Superintendent
Broader Implications
The report calls on policymakers, education leaders, and community stakeholders to take immediate action. It outlines several recommendations, including increasing state and federal funding for rural schools, implementing salary incentives, and investing in professional development programs tailored for rural educators.
Shelby Coffey III is a distinguished journalist, media executive, and thought leader whose career has helped shape the landscape of American news and public discourse. Over several decades, Coffey has held some of the most influential roles in journalism, including serving as editor of the Los Angeles Times, executive vice president of ABC News, and deputy managing editor of The Washington Post. His editorial leadership extended to key roles as president of CNN Financial News, editor of the Dallas Times Herald, and U.S. News & World Report.
Effective March 1, 2025, Thomas J. Vilsack, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and Governor of Iowa, became the first Chief Executive Officer for the World Food Prize Foundation. In this new role, Governor Vilsack is focusing on expanding the Foundation’s global network, and will further position the Foundation as a leader in addressing global food and nutrition insecurity, continuing his lifetime of public service.
Jerry Steiner has spent 40 years involved in agriculture following growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm. He began his career with Monsanto, in multiple business leadership roles. From 2003-2013 he served as a member of the Executive team, as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs. He led the company’s global Government, Public and Industry Affairs teams across the 70 countries where Monsanto conducts business. This experience got Jerry connected to the Keystones centers work in agriculture. Key among his responsibilities were shaping the company’s public policy and building partnerships aimed at helping farmers around the world produce more food, while conserving valuable resources like water and energy. Two unique partnership that developed under his leadership were drought tolerant corn with 5 African countries, CIMMYT and the Gates foundation, and a building a sustainable business model in Brazil with the value chain leading to significant multi-company investment and soybean varieties that can protected themselves.
Jennifer Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of The Nature Conservancy, leading a team of nearly 6,000 staff working in more than 80 countries and territories tackling the dual crises of the 
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected to his first term in November 2018, becoming the first Black Member of Congress in Colorado history. In December 2022, Rep. Neguse was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), becoming the first Coloradan to serve in a senior elected leadership role in the House in over 85 years. He serves on the Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees, and was also appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to serve as one of four Democrats on the prestigious Rules Committee. Rep. Neguse serves as Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, which he previously Chaired in the 117th Congress.
Llewellyn King was born in Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. He went into journalism as soon as he turned 16, stringing for Time magazine and United Press in Africa.
Steven Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo North America, overseeing a more than $48 billion business that spans PepsiCo’s Foods and Beverage operating units. His leadership encompasses more than 125,000 associates and over 900 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Steven joined PepsiCo in 2001 as part of PepsiCo’s acquisition of the Quaker Oats Company, which he joined in 1997, and has held leadership positions of increased responsibility since.