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The average U.S. teacher salary fell 0.1 percent in the past school year to $46,953, while pay for superintendents rose 1.1 percent, according to a survey by the nonprofit Educational Research Service.

The decline in the 2005-2006 school year follows an increase the previous year, as measured by the National Education Association, of slightly more than 2 percent, below the rate of inflation.

"It doesn't surprise me, because teachers have had to take it on the chin because of budget shortfalls," Janet Bass, spokeswoman for the 1.3 million-member American Federation of Teachers, said of the Educational Research Service figures.

The decline in teacher salaries could complicate efforts on the federal, state and local level to improve U.S. schools by recruiting and retaining the most qualified personnel, Bass said.

No state met this month's deadline, under the "No Child Left Behind" law, for placing "highly qualified" teachers in subjects such as math and reading, the U.S. Education Department said.

The salary survey released today by the Alexandria, Va.-based Educational Research Service found the average superintendent salary increased 1.1 percent to $116,244. Salaries for principals saw declines ranging from 0.2 percent in elementary schools to 0.7 percent in middle schools.

The U.S. Census Bureau, in figures issued last month, said there are 6.8 million teachers in the U.S., earning an average of $46,800. Statewide averages ranged from $33,200 in South Dakota to $57,300 in Connecticut, the Census Bureau said.

The 2.8 million-member National Education Association, in its most recent figures, said teacher salaries rose 2.3 percent to $47,808 in the 2004-2005 school year, below the rate of inflation of 3.1 percent.

The reported increase in superintendent salaries could reflect a growing effort nationwide to address school-quality issues by retaining top school personnel, Bass said.