Elementary School Teacher Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
Elementary School Teachers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $44,000/year, ranging from $33,880 (25th percentile) to $70,400 (90th percentile). After Utah state taxes (4.65%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 112), this is equivalent to $39,286 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Salt Lake City, UT
Salt Lake City School District is the urban core, with Granite, Jordan, and Canyons districts covering the bulk of the suburban student body. Notable employers in this market include Salt Lake City School District, Granite School District, and Jordan School District, plus charter networks like American Preparatory Academy. A 1BR in Sugar House or 9th and 9th runs around $1,400/mo and a 2BR in Millcreek closer to $1,800/mo. UTA TRAX serves downtown but most teachers drive I-15 or I-215. Utah's flat 4.65 percent income tax is straightforward. The state has among the largest average class sizes in the country and the lowest per-pupil spending, which shapes both pay floors and benefit packages, so signing-bonus and step-credit details matter a lot in negotiation.
1Salary Distribution in Salt Lake City, UT
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Salt Lake City, UT Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT (current) | $44,000 | 112 | $39,286 |
| San Francisco, CA | $65,000 | 186 | $34,946 |
| New York, NY | $62,000 | 187 | $33,155 |
| Seattle, WA | $63,000 | 162 | $38,889 |
| Boston, MA | $57,000 | 162 | $35,185 |
| Austin, TX | $52,000 | 124 | $41,935 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Elementary School Teacher salary in Salt Lake City, UT?
The median Elementary School Teacher salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $44,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $33,880 and the 90th percentile is $70,400.
Is Salt Lake City, UT a good place to work as a Elementary School Teacher?
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $44,000 Elementary School Teacher salary in Salt Lake City, UT is equivalent to $39,286 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Salt Lake City, UT?
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost of living index of 112, meaning it is 12% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Utah is approximately 4.65%.
What is the Elementary School Teacher salary range in Salt Lake City, UT?
In Salt Lake City, UT, Elementary School Teachers earn between $33,880 (25th percentile) and $70,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $44,000 per year.
How many Elementary School Teacher jobs are there in Salt Lake City, UT?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 45,000 Elementary School Teacher positions in the Salt Lake City, UT metropolitan area.
What do Elementary School Teachers earn in Salt Lake City, UT?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Elementary School Teachers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median annual wage of $44,000. The middle 50% earn between $33,880 and $56,320. The top 10% earn more than $70,400. There are approximately 45,000 Elementary School Teachers employed in the Salt Lake City, UT metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 6.8%.
Is Salt Lake City, UT a good place for a Elementary School Teacher?
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100), making it 12% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Elementary School Teacher in Salt Lake City, UT earning $44,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $39,286 relative to the US median. Utah has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.65%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Salt Lake City, UT?
Salt Lake City, UT's cost of living index is 112, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $44,000 in Salt Lake City, UThas the same purchasing power as $39,286 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Salt Lake City, UT with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Elementary School Teacher in Salt Lake City, UT?
The headline median of $44,000 is only part of the picture. Salt Lake City, UT's cost of living index is 112 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 89¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $44,000 salary effectively purchases $39,286 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Salt Lake City, UT, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $44,000 salary, that translates to roughly $14,080/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Utah levies a state income tax of approximately 4.65%, which reduces take-home by roughly $2,046 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $38,765. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($65,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($62,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($63,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 6.8% year-over-year growth rate for Elementary School Teachers in Salt Lake City, UT is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Elementary School Teachers or the Utah state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.