Elementary school teacher salary
BLS occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · also called teacher · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $63,970 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $57,710–$81,450 25th to 75th percentile
Elementary school teachers employed 1,388,390 −0.4% projected by 2035
How much does an elementary school teacher make?
- The median elementary school teacher salary in the US is $63,970 a year: half of the 1,388,390 elementary school teachers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $72,650.
- The middle half earn between $57,710 and $81,450. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $47,960 and the top 10% more than $104,340.
- That is 25% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays elementary school teachers the most (median $102,350), followed by California ($99,650) and the District of Columbia ($96,580). Oklahoma pays the least ($48,200).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $95,643 in typical US prices, then California and Rhode Island.
- In 216 of the 373 metro areas with data, the median elementary school teacher salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of elementary school teachers to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 87,500 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what elementary school teachers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Elementary school teacher salary range
Half of elementary school teachers earn between $57,710 and $81,450 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $47,960
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $57,710
Median Yearly pay: $63,970
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $81,450
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $104,340
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $47,960 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $57,710 |
| Median | $63,970 |
| Top 25% earn over | $81,450 |
| Top 10% earn over | $104,340 |
Elementary school teacher salary by state
Washington pays elementary school teachers the most; Oklahoma the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($63,970), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 median |
| California | $99,650 median |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 median |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 median |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 median |
| New York | $85,760 median |
| Connecticut | $80,600 median |
| Alaska | $79,260 median |
| New Jersey | $78,200 median |
| Maryland | $77,680 median |
| Ohio | $77,370 median |
| Oregon | $77,130 median |
| Pennsylvania | $77,060 median |
| Minnesota | $76,350 median |
| Delaware | $75,920 median |
| Illinois | $75,320 median |
| Utah | $74,810 median |
| New Mexico | $74,550 median |
| New Hampshire | $72,410 median |
| Georgia | $72,290 median |
| Hawaii | $71,410 median |
| Virginia | $65,550 median |
| Michigan | $65,110 median |
| Nevada | $65,040 median |
| Colorado | $63,410 median |
| Vermont | $63,070 median |
| Texas | $62,760 median |
| Maine | $62,390 median |
| Nebraska | $62,380 median |
| Idaho | $61,600 median |
| Alabama | $61,380 median |
| Wisconsin | $61,210 median |
| Wyoming | $61,150 median |
| South Carolina | $60,820 median |
| Kentucky | $60,610 median |
| Iowa | $60,580 median |
| North Dakota | $60,030 median |
| Tennessee | $59,980 median |
| Indiana | $59,700 median |
| Florida | $58,930 median |
| Louisiana | $58,770 median |
| Montana | $57,530 median |
| Arizona | $56,590 median |
| Kansas | $56,450 median |
| West Virginia | $55,630 median |
| North Carolina | $54,930 median |
| Arkansas | $52,700 median |
| Missouri | $50,910 median |
| South Dakota | $50,130 median |
| Mississippi | $49,790 median |
| Oklahoma | $48,200 median |
Where elementary school teacher pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Elementary school teachers' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,643 |
| California | $90,002 |
| Rhode Island | $88,903 |
| Massachusetts | $88,883 |
| District of Columbia | $87,879 |
| Ohio | $83,396 |
| New Mexico | $80,846 |
| New York | $79,466 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,978 |
| Connecticut | $77,792 |
Elementary school teacher pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 | $64,610 | $127,570 | 28,980 | $95,643 |
| California | $99,650 | $61,940 | $127,070 | 155,160 | $90,002 |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 | $63,950 | $128,370 | 3,750 | $87,879 |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 | $60,620 | $118,190 | 29,930 | $88,883 |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 | $45,070 | $99,610 | 3,830 | $88,903 |
| New York | $85,760 | $56,760 | $136,260 | 101,410 | $79,466 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 | $58,870 | $105,890 | 16,330 | $77,792 |
| Alaska | $79,260 | $62,140 | $98,610 | 3,500 | $77,433 |
| New Jersey | $78,200 | $61,840 | $105,480 | 40,300 | $71,872 |
| Maryland | $77,680 | $56,290 | $107,040 | 29,610 | $74,010 |
| Ohio | $77,370 | $47,680 | $99,210 | 47,870 | $83,396 |
| Oregon | $77,130 | $48,500 | $103,540 | 12,600 | $74,622 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,060 | $51,990 | $99,630 | 48,370 | $78,978 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 | $48,870 | $100,880 | 26,640 | $77,418 |
| Delaware | $75,920 | $50,330 | $94,100 | 2,900 | $76,066 |
| Illinois | $75,320 | $47,040 | $105,250 | 61,520 | $75,352 |
| Utah | $74,810 | $49,610 | $100,340 | 14,820 | $75,670 |
| New Mexico | $74,550 | $58,120 | $86,560 | 6,210 | $80,846 |
| New Hampshire | $72,410 | $48,110 | $92,920 | 5,190 | $69,515 |
| Georgia | $72,290 | $49,260 | $98,030 | 43,820 | $75,073 |
| Hawaii | $71,410 | $55,210 | $95,120 | 6,040 | $64,947 |
| Virginia | $65,550 | $49,770 | $100,290 | 37,880 | $64,834 |
| Michigan | $65,110 | $47,670 | $94,680 | 40,910 | $67,670 |
| Nevada | $65,040 | $49,560 | $82,670 | 9,550 | $65,054 |
| Colorado | $63,410 | $48,410 | $98,950 | 24,860 | $61,532 |
| Vermont | $63,070 | $48,700 | $97,230 | 3,610 | $64,385 |
| Texas | $62,760 | $48,500 | $73,570 | 116,260 | $64,663 |
| Maine | $62,390 | $46,570 | $92,100 | 7,490 | $64,286 |
| Nebraska | $62,380 | $46,700 | $78,130 | 8,710 | $69,232 |
| Idaho | $61,600 | $45,940 | $80,710 | 6,850 | $64,507 |
| Alabama | $61,380 | $47,750 | $73,950 | 22,030 | $69,104 |
| Wisconsin | $61,210 | $48,610 | $84,470 | 24,920 | $65,051 |
| Wyoming | $61,150 | $51,630 | $76,860 | 2,600 | $65,972 |
| South Carolina | $60,820 | $48,410 | $77,570 | 25,030 | $64,875 |
| Kentucky | $60,610 | $45,600 | $79,740 | 19,080 | $67,226 |
| Iowa | $60,580 | $47,260 | $77,400 | 17,300 | $69,028 |
| North Dakota | $60,030 | $46,530 | $75,990 | 4,430 | $67,481 |
| Tennessee | $59,980 | $48,100 | $76,840 | 28,240 | $65,288 |
| Indiana | $59,700 | $47,330 | $77,730 | 27,720 | $63,967 |
| Florida | $58,930 | $48,680 | $75,780 | 79,090 | $56,985 |
| Louisiana | $58,770 | $46,680 | $76,380 | 22,060 | $66,627 |
| Montana | $57,530 | $38,160 | $78,450 | 4,960 | $60,785 |
| Arizona | $56,590 | $43,370 | $79,470 | 24,240 | $56,209 |
| Kansas | $56,450 | $47,700 | $71,730 | 14,350 | $62,675 |
| West Virginia | $55,630 | $48,080 | $60,790 | 5,420 | $62,159 |
| North Carolina | $54,930 | $45,570 | $62,590 | 42,410 | $58,234 |
| Arkansas | $52,700 | $49,380 | $63,120 | 12,590 | $60,619 |
| Missouri | $50,910 | $39,980 | $78,820 | 33,180 | $56,058 |
| South Dakota | $50,130 | $47,120 | $60,180 | 4,290 | $56,589 |
| Mississippi | $49,790 | $46,020 | $62,990 | 11,060 | $57,261 |
| Oklahoma | $48,200 | $41,400 | $61,930 | 18,500 | $54,871 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Elementary school teacher salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes elementary school teacher pay: 377 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Olympia, WA $104,650
- Sacramento, CA $103,390
- Walla Walla, WA $102,980
- Seattle, WA $102,920
- San Jose, CA $102,860
- Bremerton, WA $102,650
- Los Angeles, CA $101,860
- San Francisco, CA $101,860
- Modesto, CA $101,640
- Bellingham, WA $101,230
Where the pay goes furthest
- El Centro, CA $105,480
- Walla Walla, WA $104,528
- Yakima, WA $102,915
- Barnstable, MA $102,002
- Merced, CA $101,877
- Olympia, WA $100,945
- Kennewick, WA $100,301
- Visalia, CA $98,603
- Spokane, WA $98,459
- Mount Vernon, WA $98,328
All 377 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WA | $104,650 | 950 | $100,945 | 23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $103,390 | 10,480 | $96,925 | 26% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $102,980 | 220 | $104,528 | 17% |
| Seattle, WA | $102,920 | 14,560 | $92,610 | 26% |
| San Jose, CA | $102,860 | 7,810 | $93,151 | 44% |
| Bremerton, WA | $102,650 | 900 | $97,200 | 24% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $101,860 | 44,790 | $89,692 | 35% |
| San Francisco, CA | $101,860 | 17,860 | $88,104 | 41% |
| Modesto, CA | $101,640 | 2,450 | $97,629 | 24% |
| Bellingham, WA | $101,230 | 790 | $97,964 | 23% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $101,030 | 2,170 | $92,860 | 39% |
| Vallejo, CA | $100,790 | 1,680 | $92,912 | 29% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $100,730 | 500 | $98,328 | 26% |
| Napa, CA | $100,410 | 570 | $89,211 | 35% |
| El Centro, CA | $100,390 | 860 | $105,480 | 22% |
| Kennewick, WA | $100,380 | 1,410 | $100,301 | 20% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $100,340 | 510 | $96,615 | 21% |
| Barnstable, MA | $100,320 | 810 | $102,002 | 31% |
| Salinas, CA | $100,220 | 2,280 | $91,910 | 33% |
| Merced, CA | $100,120 | 1,560 | $101,877 | 25% |
| Oxnard, CA | $99,420 | 3,060 | $89,945 | 36% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $99,260 | 1,000 | $90,322 | 42% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $99,060 | 2,180 | $91,906 | 32% |
| Spokane, WA | $98,800 | 2,340 | $98,459 | 18% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $98,600 | 4,590 | $92,267 | 35% |
| Riverside, CA | $98,520 | 18,850 | $92,557 | 31% |
| Hanford, CA | $98,470 | 950 | $96,908 | 24% |
| Visalia, CA | $98,430 | 2,440 | $98,603 | 21% |
| Yakima, WA | $98,330 | 1,360 | $102,915 | 17% |
| Boston, MA | $98,060 | 20,340 | $90,573 | 37% |
| Kingston, NY | $97,920 | 710 | $97,231 | 25% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $97,620 | 1,140 | $89,893 | 34% |
| Stockton, CA | $97,400 | 3,380 | $92,683 | 30% |
| San Diego, CA | $97,000 | 11,340 | $86,695 | 37% |
| Yuba City, CA | $97,000 | 920 | $93,061 | 25% |
| New York, NY | $96,900 | 98,900 | $86,085 | 44% |
| Chico, CA | $95,000 | 1,120 | $93,876 | 20% |
| Providence, RI | $86,720 | 6,280 | $85,209 | 30% |
| Norwich, CT | $83,840 | 1,060 | $83,469 | 30% |
| Redding, CA | $83,780 | 1,110 | $83,211 | 24% |
| Worcester, MA | $82,810 | 3,850 | $80,772 | 31% |
| Portland, OR | $82,330 | 7,530 | $78,096 | 26% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $81,770 | 3,140 | $74,729 | 33% |
| Boulder, CO | $80,640 | 1,630 | $76,653 | 33% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $80,480 | 1,620 | $81,411 | 31% |
| Dayton, OH | $80,360 | 3,430 | $86,694 | 20% |
| Longview, WA | $79,910 | 440 | $81,921 | 21% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $79,900 | 640 | $79,706 | – |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,900 | 4,540 | $79,198 | 27% |
| Reading, PA | $79,860 | 1,780 | $82,279 | 23% |
| New Haven, CT | $79,820 | 2,730 | $76,340 | 31% |
| Hartford, CT | $79,800 | 4,980 | $77,667 | 30% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $79,730 | 16,990 | $76,062 | 26% |
| York, PA | $79,730 | 2,260 | $83,052 | 21% |
| Springfield, MA | $79,640 | 2,340 | $82,906 | 30% |
| Waterbury, CT | $79,640 | 2,110 | $79,817 | – |
| Washington, DC | $79,470 | 30,940 | $72,986 | 36% |
| Anchorage, AK | $79,270 | 1,720 | $75,194 | 29% |
| Albany, NY | $79,240 | 3,550 | $79,585 | 26% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $79,160 | 290 | $76,699 | 28% |
| Allentown, PA | $79,040 | 4,260 | $79,065 | 28% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $78,910 | 530 | $82,971 | 27% |
| Fresno, CA | $78,800 | 5,610 | $77,135 | 31% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $78,570 | 23,380 | $76,613 | 29% |
| Akron, OH | $78,560 | 2,010 | $84,138 | 20% |
| Syracuse, NY | $78,560 | 2,620 | $82,054 | 25% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $78,470 | 620 | $82,717 | 22% |
| Chicago, IL | $78,390 | 45,840 | $75,670 | 33% |
| Lancaster, PA | $78,360 | 2,350 | $79,750 | 24% |
| Vineland, NJ | $78,260 | 760 | $81,548 | 25% |
| Columbus, OH | $78,150 | 9,950 | $81,859 | 23% |
| Canton, OH | $77,940 | 1,540 | $87,175 | 18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $77,920 | 4,840 | $77,249 | 25% |
| Trenton, NJ | $77,850 | 1,830 | $75,451 | 39% |
| Bend, OR | $77,810 | 650 | $75,101 | 34% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $77,340 | 660 | $81,503 | 26% |
| Springfield, OH | $77,320 | 580 | $85,453 | 19% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $77,160 | 2,990 | $78,216 | 23% |
| Burlington, VT | $77,030 | 1,140 | $76,306 | 40% |
| Utica, NY | $77,010 | 1,160 | $83,094 | 22% |
| Denver, CO | $76,910 | 12,030 | $72,706 | 30% |
| Farmington, NM | $76,840 | 640 | $87,610 | 22% |
| Portland, ME | $76,770 | 2,830 | $75,370 | 36% |
| State College, PA | $76,760 | 540 | $79,329 | 30% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $76,750 | 500 | $81,095 | 21% |
| Corvallis, OR | $76,710 | 300 | $73,748 | 28% |
| Athens, GA | $76,600 | 1,360 | $82,063 | 28% |
| Scranton, PA | $76,590 | 1,780 | $81,865 | 21% |
| Atlanta, GA | $76,570 | 23,370 | $76,526 | 29% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $76,550 | 7,640 | $80,859 | 23% |
| Binghamton, NY | $76,540 | 980 | $82,422 | 25% |
| Buffalo, NY | $76,490 | 5,810 | $79,807 | 23% |
| Lebanon, PA | $76,490 | 480 | $82,058 | 23% |
| Cleveland, OH | $76,470 | 5,460 | $81,418 | 23% |
| Baltimore, MD | $76,400 | 13,150 | $73,119 | 30% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $76,170 | 1,200 | $75,595 | 32% |
| Lima, OH | $75,830 | 540 | $84,567 | 19% |
| Rochester, MN | $75,770 | 910 | $83,428 | 25% |
| Brunswick, GA | $75,530 | 620 | $86,115 | 27% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $75,520 | 1,900 | $79,040 | 24% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $75,450 | 380 | $79,105 | 22% |
| Dover, DE | $75,080 | 580 | $77,000 | 28% |
| Salem, OR | $74,810 | 1,120 | $72,176 | 26% |
| Logan, UT | $74,790 | 520 | $77,966 | 23% |
| Williamsport, PA | $74,610 | 420 | $80,790 | 17% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $74,260 | 290 | $75,962 | 26% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $74,100 | 890 | $82,140 | 24% |
| Bay City, MI | $74,010 | 350 | $80,515 | 17% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $74,000 | 940 | $78,901 | 24% |
| Saginaw, MI | $73,810 | 740 | $81,207 | 17% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $73,750 | 320 | $74,671 | 32% |
| Manchester, NH | $73,380 | 1,510 | $69,451 | 35% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $73,160 | 950 | $83,485 | 20% |
| Honolulu, HI | $73,080 | 4,220 | $65,861 | 50% |
| Albany, OR | $72,960 | 380 | $71,459 | 27% |
| Lansing, MI | $72,930 | 1,730 | $76,776 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $72,560 | 1,780 | $83,026 | 17% |
| Salisbury, MD | $72,250 | 630 | $75,562 | 32% |
| St. George, UT | $72,100 | 650 | $74,085 | 31% |
| Kahului, HI | $71,830 | 640 | $65,662 | 54% |
| Johnstown, PA | $71,300 | 600 | $82,975 | 15% |
| Erie, PA | $69,920 | 960 | $76,877 | 19% |
| Hinesville, GA | $67,090 | 310 | $71,423 | 31% |
| Traverse City, MI | $66,020 | 450 | $70,706 | 34% |
| Duluth, MN | $65,840 | 1,100 | $74,171 | 24% |
| Medford, OR | $65,830 | 780 | $64,900 | 34% |
| Flint, MI | $65,620 | 1,340 | $70,533 | 19% |
| Bloomington, IL | $65,590 | 670 | $70,122 | 24% |
| Detroit, MI | $65,210 | 18,390 | $65,016 | 28% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $65,090 | 500 | $71,890 | 21% |
| Dallas, TX | $65,070 | 27,350 | $63,120 | 31% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $65,040 | 6,660 | $64,900 | 32% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $64,990 | 870 | $66,305 | 36% |
| Gainesville, GA | $64,780 | 820 | $66,945 | 32% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $64,740 | 9,150 | $67,883 | 28% |
| Lewiston, ID | $64,600 | 230 | $70,864 | 27% |
| Grand Island, NE | $64,530 | 360 | $74,466 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $64,500 | 30,980 | $65,397 | 30% |
| Rome, GA | $64,360 | 400 | $71,383 | 24% |
| Eugene, OR | $64,260 | 1,090 | $63,268 | 33% |
| Rockford, IL | $64,200 | 1,530 | $69,666 | 24% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $64,060 | 1,630 | $63,501 | 36% |
| Mansfield, OH | $63,980 | 410 | $71,991 | 17% |
| Ogden, UT | $63,910 | 2,850 | $63,688 | 31% |
| El Paso, TX | $63,800 | 2,580 | $70,958 | 29% |
| Jackson, MI | $63,770 | 750 | $69,482 | 22% |
| Savannah, GA | $63,710 | 1,570 | $66,918 | 33% |
| Madison, WI | $63,690 | 3,530 | $65,466 | 34% |
| Ithaca, NY | $63,610 | 460 | $61,568 | 37% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $63,550 | 480 | $64,654 | 34% |
| Valdosta, GA | $63,480 | 570 | $71,915 | 25% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $63,450 | 1,180 | $66,902 | 24% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $63,380 | 7,130 | $64,712 | 36% |
| Brownsville, TX | $63,350 | 1,950 | $73,684 | 29% |
| Dalton, GA | $63,340 | 1,120 | $70,500 | 27% |
| Toledo, OH | $63,250 | 3,350 | $69,160 | 24% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $63,190 | 1,180 | $67,101 | 31% |
| Killeen, TX | $63,120 | 2,280 | $69,262 | 25% |
| McAllen, TX | $63,110 | 4,090 | $73,473 | 21% |
| Mankato, MN | $63,070 | 350 | $69,342 | 24% |
| Monroe, MI | $63,030 | 560 | $67,418 | 24% |
| Odessa, TX | $63,020 | 820 | $67,117 | 30% |
| Owensboro, KY | $63,010 | 470 | $71,109 | 24% |
| Augusta, GA | $63,000 | 2,400 | $68,551 | 28% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $62,930 | 1,370 | $62,228 | 38% |
| Provo, UT | $62,930 | 3,420 | $64,063 | 34% |
| Rochester, NY | $62,840 | 5,100 | $64,760 | 29% |
| Omaha, NE | $62,670 | 4,030 | $68,186 | 27% |
| Muskegon, MI | $62,660 | 620 | $67,727 | 25% |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,630 | 5,340 | $68,341 | 27% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $62,510 | 2,310 | $62,507 | 36% |
| Ames, IA | $62,430 | 440 | $70,280 | 22% |
| Reno, NV | $62,430 | 1,890 | $61,803 | 40% |
| Billings, MT | $62,390 | 820 | $66,709 | 27% |
| North Port, FL | $62,370 | 2,550 | $60,898 | 41% |
| Springfield, IL | $62,340 | 1,000 | $67,217 | 23% |
| Sioux City, IA | $62,270 | 890 | $72,027 | 25% |
| Huntsville, AL | $62,250 | 1,990 | $66,884 | 27% |
| Watertown, NY | $62,150 | 440 | $70,875 | 29% |
| Paducah, KY | $62,030 | 360 | $72,058 | 22% |
| Roanoke, VA | $62,010 | 1,450 | $66,237 | 27% |
| Pueblo, CO | $62,000 | 640 | $67,566 | 26% |
| Knoxville, TN | $61,980 | 3,360 | $66,955 | 33% |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,940 | 1,240 | $67,634 | 25% |
| Altoona, PA | $61,920 | 360 | $69,179 | 19% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $61,900 | 5,080 | $64,786 | 31% |
| Shreveport, LA | $61,850 | 2,280 | $72,966 | 25% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $61,840 | 470 | $68,277 | 25% |
| San Antonio, TX | $61,720 | 12,220 | $65,163 | 28% |
| Daphne, AL | $61,680 | – | $65,139 | 33% |
| Davenport, IA | $61,650 | 1,760 | $69,208 | 20% |
| Des Moines, IA | $61,650 | 3,640 | $67,229 | 25% |
| Louisville, KY | $61,610 | 5,510 | $66,195 | 26% |
| Midland, MI | $61,540 | 290 | $66,949 | 27% |
| Macon, GA | $61,510 | 1,080 | $69,481 | 24% |
| Memphis, TN | $61,510 | 5,410 | $66,729 | 27% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,480 | 6,620 | $63,423 | 30% |
| Lexington, KY | $61,460 | 2,420 | $66,165 | 31% |
| Nashville, TN | $61,460 | 8,400 | $63,796 | 35% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,430 | 980 | $69,051 | 24% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $61,430 | 540 | $70,884 | 22% |
| Columbus, GA | $61,360 | 1,340 | $68,715 | 26% |
| Midland, TX | $61,350 | 380 | $64,051 | 31% |
| Minot, ND | $61,350 | 400 | $70,495 | 24% |
| Johnson City, TN | $61,330 | 570 | $69,750 | 29% |
| Laredo, TX | $61,310 | 1,710 | $70,507 | 22% |
| Richmond, VA | $61,290 | 5,270 | $62,632 | 33% |
| Austin, TX | $61,270 | 8,450 | $62,478 | 31% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,260 | 910 | $67,932 | 24% |
| Boise, ID | $61,230 | 2,490 | $62,231 | 38% |
| Elmira, NY | $61,220 | 450 | $64,853 | 22% |
| Anniston, AL | $61,200 | 670 | $71,205 | 19% |
| Winchester, VA | $61,200 | 730 | $63,453 | 36% |
| Kokomo, IN | $61,180 | 300 | $68,245 | 21% |
| Amarillo, TX | $61,170 | 960 | $66,619 | 26% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $61,150 | 380 | $63,374 | 30% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $61,140 | 3,640 | $60,711 | 35% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $61,110 | 490 | $65,001 | 26% |
| Decatur, AL | $61,090 | – | $70,048 | 21% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $61,080 | 680 | $64,695 | 28% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $61,080 | 6,220 | $61,397 | 33% |
| Kansas City, MO | $61,060 | 11,500 | $65,980 | 30% |
| Charleston, SC | $61,020 | 4,670 | $60,439 | 40% |
| Bismarck, ND | $61,010 | 640 | $67,026 | 26% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $61,010 | 2,380 | $66,785 | 31% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,990 | 1,530 | $66,984 | 29% |
| Mobile, AL | $60,970 | – | $69,207 | 25% |
| Dothan, AL | $60,950 | – | $72,704 | 24% |
| Florence, SC | $60,910 | 1,010 | $70,194 | 30% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $60,890 | 490 | $66,107 | 31% |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,870 | 760 | $66,518 | 35% |
| Appleton, WI | $60,840 | 1,020 | $65,831 | 24% |
| Pocatello, ID | $60,840 | 270 | $68,432 | 21% |
| Racine, WI | $60,840 | 860 | $63,401 | 29% |
| Waterloo, IA | $60,780 | 890 | $69,816 | 20% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $60,770 | 1,040 | $61,293 | 40% |
| Niles, MI | $60,760 | 750 | $65,779 | 28% |
| Bozeman, MT | $60,740 | 400 | $59,253 | 43% |
| La Crosse, WI | $60,690 | 710 | $66,133 | 27% |
| Greenville, SC | $60,680 | 4,390 | $65,065 | 31% |
| Staunton, VA | $60,680 | 560 | $66,588 | 29% |
| Weirton, WV | $60,670 | 390 | $68,150 | 16% |
| St. Louis, MO | $60,650 | 13,440 | $63,783 | 28% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $60,600 | 630 | $65,365 | 33% |
| Green Bay, WI | $60,600 | 1,150 | $65,101 | 22% |
| Florence, AL | $60,580 | – | $71,424 | 21% |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,530 | 510 | $59,861 | – |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,510 | 8,610 | $63,231 | 30% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $60,470 | 2,230 | $59,082 | 36% |
| Naples, FL | $60,470 | 1,370 | $58,595 | 52% |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,350 | 4,400 | $65,175 | 31% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,340 | 580 | $65,024 | 23% |
| Crestview, FL | $60,330 | 970 | $62,176 | 39% |
| Beaumont, TX | $60,260 | 1,780 | $66,921 | 26% |
| Janesville, WI | $60,220 | 720 | $64,267 | 26% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $60,220 | 1,150 | $68,649 | 33% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $60,210 | 1,840 | $64,972 | 28% |
| Fargo, ND | $60,210 | 1,380 | $66,259 | 22% |
| Longview, TX | $60,210 | 1,200 | $67,285 | 23% |
| Orlando, FL | $60,190 | 10,950 | $59,348 | 38% |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,170 | 5,830 | $61,300 | 33% |
| Greeley, CO | $60,160 | 1,370 | $60,054 | 34% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $60,150 | 690 | $64,727 | 25% |
| Tampa, FL | $60,120 | 11,000 | $59,590 | 40% |
| Tyler, TX | $60,120 | 920 | $65,237 | 26% |
| Bangor, ME | $60,080 | 940 | $62,254 | 30% |
| Columbia, SC | $60,050 | 4,360 | $64,114 | 31% |
| Sherman, TX | $60,030 | 420 | $64,018 | 27% |
| Auburn, AL | $59,970 | 550 | $68,200 | 32% |
| Elkhart, IN | $59,930 | 1,130 | $66,349 | 24% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $59,920 | 420 | $65,384 | 23% |
| Slidell, LA | $59,850 | 2,080 | $64,545 | – |
| Chattanooga, TN | $59,830 | 2,020 | $65,414 | 30% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $59,800 | 1,980 | $64,598 | 25% |
| Clarksville, TN | $59,760 | 1,560 | $65,709 | 27% |
| Greensboro, NC | $59,730 | 2,590 | $64,319 | 28% |
| Champaign, IL | $59,650 | 990 | $64,345 | 28% |
| Montgomery, AL | $59,610 | 1,560 | $66,468 | 28% |
| Lafayette, IN | $59,590 | 720 | $63,780 | 30% |
| Wausau, WI | $59,500 | 460 | $64,219 | 19% |
| Michigan City, IN | $59,480 | 470 | $64,876 | 24% |
| Rapid City, SD | $59,480 | 530 | $66,712 | 29% |
| The Villages, FL | $59,360 | 300 | $69,489 | 35% |
| Cleveland, TN | $59,330 | 410 | $67,359 | 29% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $59,310 | 4,450 | $65,334 | 28% |
| Lubbock, TX | $59,220 | 1,840 | $64,851 | 27% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $59,180 | 16,560 | $57,281 | 35% |
| Lewiston, ME | $59,110 | 670 | $62,394 | 32% |
| Waco, TX | $59,100 | 1,180 | $63,857 | 29% |
| Decatur, IL | $59,050 | 370 | $66,782 | 22% |
| Topeka, KS | $58,950 | 1,170 | $66,370 | 25% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $58,900 | 290 | $65,800 | 27% |
| Wheeling, WV | $58,830 | 510 | $66,608 | 18% |
| Houma, LA | $58,780 | 750 | $69,069 | 27% |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,680 | 10,770 | $60,279 | 35% |
| Panama City, FL | $58,640 | 820 | $60,270 | 36% |
| Wichita, KS | $58,640 | 2,940 | $65,928 | 25% |
| Muncie, IN | $58,610 | 340 | $66,490 | 21% |
| Little Rock, AR | $58,580 | 3,210 | $65,552 | 25% |
| Bloomington, IN | $58,410 | 450 | $61,430 | 36% |
| Miami, FL | $58,300 | 19,910 | $51,071 | 55% |
| Missoula, MT | $58,240 | 490 | $60,387 | 33% |
| South Bend, IN | $58,180 | 1,220 | $62,655 | 26% |
| Kingsport, TN | $58,130 | 1,110 | $67,244 | 27% |
| Helena, MT | $57,980 | 350 | $60,601 | 34% |
| Kankakee, IL | $57,980 | 360 | $60,149 | 27% |
| Gadsden, AL | $57,890 | – | $67,587 | 22% |
| College Station, TX | $57,870 | 960 | $63,628 | 31% |
| Dubuque, IA | $57,840 | 560 | $66,233 | 22% |
| Deltona, FL | $57,770 | 2,280 | $58,138 | 37% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $57,730 | 340 | $67,339 | 26% |
| Sumter, SC | $57,650 | 470 | $65,496 | 31% |
| Ocala, FL | $57,540 | 1,220 | $60,420 | 33% |
| Huntington, WV | $57,450 | 1,350 | $64,973 | 23% |
| Peoria, IL | $57,440 | 1,500 | $62,961 | 24% |
| Victoria, TX | $57,430 | 410 | $63,925 | 24% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $57,320 | 660 | $65,287 | 20% |
| Charleston, WV | $57,020 | 590 | $64,272 | 25% |
| Burlington, NC | $56,740 | 670 | $60,882 | 28% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $56,510 | 2,220 | $61,395 | 32% |
| Gainesville, FL | $56,430 | 1,370 | $58,336 | 35% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $56,270 | 570 | $65,525 | 26% |
| Greenville, NC | $55,490 | 740 | $62,770 | 32% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $55,140 | 230 | $63,331 | 23% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $55,020 | 1,490 | $58,582 | 32% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $54,350 | 1,490 | $59,090 | 32% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $53,900 | 430 | $53,725 | 47% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $53,610 | 1,730 | $53,488 | 52% |
| Abilene, TX | $53,480 | 660 | $59,183 | 45% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $52,620 | 840 | $61,266 | 24% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $52,230 | 610 | $54,705 | 40% |
| Beckley, WV | $51,910 | 300 | $58,742 | 24% |
| San Angelo, TX | $51,590 | 600 | $55,801 | 31% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $51,520 | 1,090 | $60,010 | 32% |
| Jackson, TN | $51,470 | 890 | $60,183 | 32% |
| Durham, NC | $51,400 | 2,430 | $52,679 | 38% |
| Morgantown, WV | $51,380 | 250 | $55,056 | 32% |
| Gulfport, MS | $50,820 | 1,590 | $56,463 | 34% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $50,540 | 530 | $57,213 | 44% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $50,470 | 1,080 | $56,478 | 31% |
| Lakeland, FL | $50,420 | 3,280 | $51,904 | 43% |
| Pensacola, FL | $50,360 | 2,760 | $51,537 | 41% |
| Lawrence, KS | $50,310 | 450 | $55,749 | 37% |
| Monroe, LA | $50,300 | 1,250 | $60,170 | 28% |
| Texarkana, TX | $50,270 | 720 | $59,837 | 30% |
| Jackson, MS | $50,240 | 2,430 | $56,419 | 35% |
| Asheville, NC | $50,080 | 1,450 | $51,893 | 41% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $50,040 | 1,330 | $55,213 | 30% |
| Hickory, NC | $49,540 | 1,560 | $55,986 | 39% |
| Manhattan, KS | $49,520 | 570 | $54,923 | 31% |
| Springfield, MO | $49,380 | 2,400 | $55,743 | 30% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $49,240 | 640 | $55,662 | 37% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $49,140 | 770 | $56,887 | 25% |
| Evansville, IN | $49,120 | 1,110 | $53,667 | 27% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $48,780 | 6,070 | $53,955 | 34% |
| Joplin, MO | $48,770 | 1,100 | $56,896 | 31% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $48,670 | 550 | $55,299 | 31% |
| Sebring, FL | $48,660 | 390 | $52,622 | 37% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $48,370 | 1,000 | $52,528 | 39% |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,360 | 730 | $52,165 | 35% |
| Great Falls, MT | $48,320 | 310 | $49,894 | 35% |
| Wilmington, NC | $48,240 | 1,920 | $50,030 | 43% |
| Tulsa, OK | $48,220 | 4,030 | $54,050 | 34% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $47,980 | 450 | $53,763 | 32% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,960 | 600 | $54,515 | 25% |
| Alexandria, LA | $47,950 | 680 | $55,960 | 26% |
| Columbia, MO | $47,920 | 840 | $53,579 | 36% |
| Lafayette, LA | $47,770 | 950 | $54,776 | 35% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $47,650 | 450 | $54,374 | 33% |
| Sebastian, FL | $47,600 | 510 | $48,419 | 54% |
| Hammond, LA | $47,470 | 610 | $56,204 | 33% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $47,400 | 600 | $48,242 | 48% |
| Lawton, OK | $47,330 | 450 | $55,073 | 29% |
| Tucson, AZ | $47,220 | 3,530 | $48,733 | 38% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $47,100 | 1,030 | $54,718 | 26% |
| Enid, OK | $46,840 | 280 | $55,584 | 29% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $46,460 | 520 | $49,374 | 40% |
What the median elementary school teacher salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $63,970 |
| Month | $5,331 |
| Every two weeks | $2,460 |
| Week | $1,230 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an elementary school teacher: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.4% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 87,500 |
| Self-employed | 0.3% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Middle school teacher | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree |
| Kindergarten teacher | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| High school teacher | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Librarian | $68,270 | Master's degree |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | Some college |
| Preschool teacher | $38,140 | Associate's degree |
| Substitute teacher | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree |
| Special education teacher | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about elementary school teacher pay
How much does an elementary school teacher make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for elementary school teachers, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $63,970 a year.
How much does an elementary school teacher make a month?
About $5,331 a month before taxes at the median salary of $63,970, or $2,460 every two weeks.
What state pays elementary school teachers the most?
Washington, with a median of $102,350. California ($99,650), the District of Columbia ($96,580), Massachusetts ($94,000) and Rhode Island ($90,930) follow.
Where do elementary school teachers make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $102,350 is worth $95,643 at typical US prices. California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level elementary school teachers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of elementary school teachers earn under $47,960 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $57,710, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an elementary school teacher?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 25-2021 (Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.