Aurora Public Schools is giving its staff an average 5% raise this year, a raise officials are claiming is likely to be the largest salary increase to staff compared to other Denver metro area school districts. 

The salary increase announcement came Tuesday after Aurora Public Schools reached an agreement with its teachers’ union, Aurora Education Association, to give all staff a general salary increase of 2.7%. Additionally, eligible educators will get increases for experience, according to an Aurora Public Schools news release. 

It will go to the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education on June 17, where it is “expected to pass,” the release said.

Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr. called the agreement “successful,” saying it reinforces the district’s commitment to its staff.

“This agreement reinforces our commitment to valuing our staff and keeps APS among the most competitive districts in the Denver metro area,” Giles said. “I am grateful for the collaborative efforts of our negotiations team and the AEA in reaching this important milestone for our employees.”

Aurora Education Association’s bargaining chair, Beth Himes, said the union’s membership “overwhelmingly voted to ratify” the agreement. 

“The hardworking educators of APS look forward to earning one of the largest salary increases in the Metro Denver area this year,” Himes said. “APS educators are also excited about National Board Certification recognition for expanded educator categories as well as the creation of a new doctorate lane to be more competitive with neighboring districts in attracting and retaining educators and providers with accomplished education and specialized degrees.”

According to the Colorado Department of Education, Aurora Public Schools had 1,926 staff members in the 2024-25 school year and the average staff salary was $81,538. 

Of the 17 school districts in the metro Denver area, seven have higher average salaries than Aurora Public Schools. From highest to lowest, the average salaries for the Denver metro school districts in the 2024-25 school year are as follows.

• Boulder Valley: $101,831
• Cherry Creek: $95,145 
• Westminster: $92,703 
• Littleton: $87,220 
• Denver County: $85,713 
• Mapleton: $84,216 
• Jefferson County: $82,995 
• Aurora: $81,538 
• Adams 12: $78,778 
• Adams 14: $77,089 
• School District 27J: $76,638 
• Douglas County: $75,777 
• Englewood: $72,803 
• Sheridan: $71,797 
• Gilpin County: $66,088
• Platte Canyon: $62,074
• Clear Creek: $61,369 
• Elizabeth: $53,938