Elementary School Teacher Salary in 2026
Elementary school teachers teach fundamental subjects to young students, fostering academic, social, and emotional development. They create engaging lessons for diverse learners.
Median Salary
$59,000
$4,917/mo
Entry Level
$40,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$77,000
experienced
Job Growth
+1%
10-yr outlook
Elementary School Teacher Overview
Elementary school teachers teach fundamental subjects to young students, fostering academic, social, and emotional development. They create engaging lessons for diverse learners.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Education
Total Jobs (US)
1.4M
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Education
Hourly Rate
$28.37/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,917
Elementary School Teacher Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Elementary School Teacher salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Elementary School Teacher Salary
$64,000
$5,333/month · $2,462/biweekly · $30.77/hr
Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Elementary School Teacher field.
Entry-level Elementary School Teachers earn around $40,000, while the top 10% earn $81,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Elementary School Teachers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $70,000 | +$11,000 |
| New York | $68,000 | +$9,000 |
| Illinois | $61,000 | +$2,000 |
| Texas | $58,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $58,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Elementary School Teachers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $70,000 | +$11,000 |
| Los Angeles | $66,000 | +$7,000 |
| Chicago | $62,000 | +$3,000 |
| Miami | $60,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $58,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Elementary School Teacher Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Elementary School Teacher from entry level to expert.
$40,000
0-2 years
$59,000
3-7 years
$77,000
8-14 years
$86,000
15+ years
Related Education Jobs
Elementary School Teacher Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Elementary School Teacher Salary
How we calculate Elementary School Teacher salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $59,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Elementary School Teacher in the Education sector.
- Entry-level ($40,000) and senior-level ($77,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +1% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 1.4M total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Education sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $59,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Elementary School Teacher compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Elementary School Teacher job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Education
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Elementary School Teacher salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Literacy Instruction, Math Instruction, Classroom Management), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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