In the United States most teacher compensation issues are decided at the school district level. However, a group of states have chosen to play a role in teacher pay decisions by instituting statewide teacher salary schedules. Education Commission of the States has found that 17 states currently make use of teacher salary schedules. This education policy analysis provides information on each of the 17 states' salary schedules and addresses the following policy questions: (1) How do salary schedules work? (2) Why do states institute salary schedules? (3) What policy issues exist with salary schedules? (4) What are the alternatives to salary schedules?