Ms. Smith, the Mississippi teacher, is not sure what she plans to do with her $5,100 salary boost, but she has a few ideas. Her car is sputtering, so she may use the money to buy a new one. And there is always the option of spoiling her grandchildren.

“I think it means more now, not just because it’s financial but because of the timing of it on the tail end of the pandemic,” she said. “This is that little extra boost. That’s our pat on the back to go on, and keep pushing forward. Because the past couple years have been really difficult.”