Elementary School Teacher Salary
BLS reports this occupation as "Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education" (25-2021); every figure on this page is for that BLS occupation.
Elementary school teachers instruct students in foundational academic subjects including reading, math, and science. They develop lesson plans, assess student progress, and create supportive learning environments.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Elementary School Teacher
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $102,920 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $101,860 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $101,860 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $98,060 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $97,000 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $96,900 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $82,330 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $79,730 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $79,470 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $78,390 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $92,610 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | 108.3 | $90,573 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | $89,692 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $88,104 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $86,695 |
| 6 | New York, NY | 112.6 | $86,085 |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | 95.5 | $81,859 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | 94.7 | $80,859 |
| 9 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $78,096 |
| 10 | Salt Lake City, UT | 100.9 | $77,249 |
Elementary School Teacher Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $81,390 | $102,920 | $126,640 | $131,990 | 14,560 |
| San Francisco, CA | $78,460 | $101,860 | $122,120 | $126,700 | 17,860 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $77,000 | $101,860 | $123,800 | $129,130 | 44,790 |
| Boston, MA | $77,820 | $98,060 | $104,240 | $124,880 | 20,340 |
| San Diego, CA | $75,030 | $97,000 | $110,420 | $123,450 | 11,340 |
| New York, NY | $75,390 | $96,900 | $128,250 | $136,330 | 98,900 |
| Portland, OR | $63,420 | $82,330 | $104,270 | $107,650 | 7,530 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $60,660 | $79,730 | $98,750 | $101,210 | 16,990 |
| Washington, DC | $64,140 | $79,470 | $102,750 | $122,580 | 30,940 |
| Chicago, IL | $60,630 | $78,390 | $102,430 | $105,250 | 45,840 |
| Columbus, OH | $61,000 | $78,150 | $100,310 | $102,050 | 9,950 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $62,090 | $77,920 | $97,660 | $102,510 | 4,840 |
| Denver, CO | $61,220 | $76,910 | $84,170 | $101,440 | 12,030 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,010 | $76,570 | $78,050 | $98,970 | 23,370 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $62,070 | $76,550 | $85,500 | $105,760 | 7,640 |
| Detroit, MI | $60,440 | $65,210 | $82,780 | $99,460 | 18,390 |
| Dallas, TX | $62,760 | $65,070 | $72,000 | $76,340 | 27,350 |
| Houston, TX | $61,320 | $64,500 | $67,370 | $74,430 | 30,980 |
| El Paso, TX | $61,790 | $63,800 | $65,250 | $70,890 | 2,580 |
| Louisville, KY | $49,490 | $61,610 | $79,740 | $92,760 | 5,510 |
| Memphis, TN | $52,680 | $61,510 | $64,590 | $76,630 | 5,410 |
| Nashville, TN | $53,580 | $61,460 | $74,380 | $79,920 | 8,400 |
| Richmond, VA | $53,840 | $61,290 | $64,800 | $82,980 | 5,270 |
| Austin, TX | $59,430 | $61,270 | $61,930 | $64,410 | 8,450 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $49,960 | $60,510 | $74,290 | $79,850 | 8,610 |
| Raleigh, NC | $50,050 | $60,170 | $62,590 | $75,710 | 5,830 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $48,840 | $59,180 | $67,170 | $81,520 | 16,560 |
| Charlotte, NC | $48,440 | $58,680 | $61,130 | $75,510 | 10,770 |
| Miami, FL | $53,290 | $58,300 | $60,430 | $76,490 | 19,910 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $47,860 | $48,780 | $59,410 | $79,520 | 6,070 |
5About the Elementary School Teacher Role
Elementary school teachers instruct students in foundational academic subjects including reading, math, and science. They develop lesson plans, assess student progress, and create supportive learning environments.
Compensation for Elementary School Teachers varies by metro — from $48,780 at the low end in Oklahoma City, OK to $102,920 in Seattle, WA. The $54,140 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see elementary school teacher salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Elementary School Teacher salary in the US?
The national median Elementary School Teacher salary is $63,970 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $57,710 and the 90th percentile reaches $104,340.
Which city pays Elementary School Teachers the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, Seattle, WA has the highest median wage for Elementary School Teachers at $102,920 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). San Francisco, CA ($101,860) and Los Angeles, CA ($101,860) are next.