Even as Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) has been discussing school closures and other cost-cutting measures, it ended the 2025 school year with a bigger roster and increased payroll spending, according to reports.
“District administrators spent the year focused on an effort to rightsize the district’s offerings and reduce the roster by around 150,” wrote Pittsburgh’s Public Source, noting the end result actually increased salaries and overtime by 4.4% to a total of $306 million.
“The plan to close 12 schools has not passed and payroll continued to rise.”
Almost half, or 42%, of the district’s $729 million budget goes to salaries and benefits, according to the report. The district hired 4,478 employees in 2025, up from 4,420 the previous year.
“Superintendent Wayne Walters continues to be the highest-paid employee in 2025, earning $298,686 in salary,” the outlet noted. “The amount is almost double that of other top earners, which include several employees in administrative departments.”
The report also found the number of employees earning more than $100,000 in 2025 grew to 1,554 – compared to 1,419 the previous year.
