Elementary school teacher earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level elementary school teacher earnings begin at:

$49.78 per hour

$103,540 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level elementary school teacher earnings begin at:

$44.32 per hour

$92,190 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level elementary school teacher earnings begin at:

$37.08 per hour

$77,130 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level elementary school teacher earnings begin at:

$28.86 per hour

$60,020 per year

10th percentile

Starting level elementary school teacher earnings begin at:

$23.32 per hour

$48,500 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Elementary school teacher salary by state

State Name Average Salary
California $99,650
District of Columbia $96,580
Massachusetts $94,000
Rhode Island $90,930
New York $85,760
Connecticut $80,600
Alaska $79,260
New Jersey $78,200
Maryland $77,680
Ohio $77,370
Oregon $77,130
Pennsylvania $77,060
Minnesota $76,350
Delaware $75,920
Illinois $75,320
Utah $74,810
New Mexico $74,550
New Hampshire $72,410
Georgia $72,290
Hawaii $71,410
Virginia $65,550
Michigan $65,110
Nevada $65,040
Colorado $63,410
Vermont $63,070
Texas $62,760
Maine $62,390
Nebraska $62,380
Idaho $61,600
Alabama $61,380
Wisconsin $61,210
Wyoming $61,150
South Carolina $60,820
Kentucky $60,610
Iowa $60,580
North Dakota $60,030
Tennessee $59,980
Indiana $59,700
Florida $58,930
Louisiana $58,770
Montana $57,530
Arizona $56,590
Kansas $56,450
West Virginia $55,630
North Carolina $54,930
Arkansas $52,700
Missouri $50,910
Guam $50,150
South Dakota $50,130
Mississippi $49,790
Oklahoma $48,200
Virgin Islands, U.S. $41,220
Puerto Rico $34,760
Washington $102,350

How much does an Elementary School Teacher earn?

While elementary school teachers’ wages should perhaps be higher than they are, many teachers are making a comfortable salary, depending on where they live. Urban areas tend to offer higher elementary school salaries, but the cost of living is also higher. While you may earn less in a rural area, you’ll probably spend less for rent, food, gas, and other expenses. The highest paid in the elementary school teacher profession work in the metropolitan areas of Fairbanks, Alaska, Poughkeepsie, New York, and New York City. The Kingston, New York area also pays well, as does the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts.

How do elementary school teacher salaries compare to similar careers?

Elementary school teachers earn about the same as related careers in Oregon. On average, they make less than health educators but more than childcare program administrators.

Career Median Salary
Health educator salary $76K
High school teacher salary $80K
Librarian salary $78K
School counselor salary $67K
Physical education teacher salary $63K
Elementary school teacher salary $77K
Kindergarten teacher salary $69K
Teacher salary $65K
Clergy salary $63K
Childcare program administrator salary $60K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)