Primary School Teacher Salary in the United States

How much does a Primary School Teacher make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Primary School Teacher in the United States is $60,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Primary School Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,419
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,600 to $68,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,133
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View as table View as graph 25% $51,600 10% $43,133 90% $75,419 75% $68,500 $60,900 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Primary School Teacher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $68,500 $5,708 $1,317 $33
Average $60,900 $5,075 $1,171 $29
25th Percentile $51,600 $4,300 $992 $25
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Key Factors That Influence Primary School Teacher Salaries

A Primary School Teacher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Primary School Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Primary School Teacher's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $57,846
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $58,124
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $61,467
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,643
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,870
Levels Salary
Entry Level Primary School Teacher$57,846
Intermediate Level Primary School Teacher$58,124
Senior Level Primary School Teacher$61,467
Specialist Level Primary School Teacher$64,643
Expert Level Primary School Teacher$64,870
$57,846 0 yr
$58,124 < 2 yrs
$61,467 2-4 yrs
$64,643 5-8 yrs
$64,870 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Primary School Teachers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $76,700
  • San Francisco: $75,900
  • Oakland: $74,300

What Skills Can Increase a Primary School Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Confidentiality (Mentioned in 7.14% Job Postings): The process of and obligation to apply and enforce rules and practices that ensure that specific types of information are accessible only to those authorized to use it.
  • Adult Learning (Mentioned in 3.57% Job Postings): Adult education is a practice in which adults engage in systematic and sustained self-educating activities in order to gain new forms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, or values.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 3.57% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Confidentiality 7.14%
Adult Learning 3.57%
Early Childhood Education 3.57%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Primary School Teacher's salary.
  • Adult Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Human Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Spring: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Adult Learning
$67,599
11%
Human Relations
$63,945
5%
Spring
$63,336
4%
Coaching
$62,727
3%
Collective Bargaining
$62,727
3%
Written Communication
$62,118
2%
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Primary School Teacher Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Primary School Teacher salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,231. While startup companies pay approximate $55,374.

Primary School Teacher Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$55,374
Growth Stage51~500$58,511
Established501~5000$63,052
Enterprise5000+$65,231

Primary School Teacher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Primary School Teacher roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Primary School Teacher positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Primary School Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Primary School Teacher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$66,990$32.010%
Healthcare$63,945$31.05%

Primary School Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Primary School Teacher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Primary School Teacher

Salaries for a Primary School Teacher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,558 in 2023 to around $53,357 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Primary School Teacher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Primary School Teacher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,558
2024
$53,790
2025
$53,357
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,558
2024 $53,790
2025 $53,357
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Primary School Teacher

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Primary School Teacher

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FAQ about Primary School Teacher

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Primary School Teacher?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Primary School Teacher roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. Which government job has the highest salary?

The salary for a Primary School Teacher ranges from ₹54,600 to ₹80,300, with a mid-range salary of ₹66,500. While this is a respectable income, it may not be among the highest paying government jobs in India, such as those in the Indian Civil Services, which can exceed ₹2,25,000 per month.

3. What type of teacher pays the most?

The highest paying teaching positions typically include School Principals, with an average salary of around $129,000 per year, followed by University or College Administrators at approximately $82,000. For Primary School Teachers, salaries range from $54,600 to $80,300, with a mid-salary of $66,500, making it a rewarding career within the education sector.

4. Do teachers get paid well in the US?

In the 2021–22 school year, the average salary for a primary school teacher ranged from $54,600 to $80,300, with a mid-salary of $66,500. While this may seem competitive, actual compensation varies significantly based on location and cost of living, affecting how well teachers are paid across different regions in the US.

5. Where are primary teachers best paid?

Primary teachers are best paid in countries like Luxembourg, where salaries can reach up to $80,300. In Switzerland, the average salary is around $66,500, while Germany also offers competitive pay. In general, primary school teachers earn between $54,600 and $80,300, depending on the country and experience level.

6. What is the highest paying job in the world?

While being a CEO is often considered the highest paying job globally, a Primary School Teacher earns a salary ranging from $54,600 to $80,300, with a mid-salary of $66,500. Although teaching may not be the top-paying profession, it plays a crucial role in shaping future generations and offers a rewarding experience.

7. How much does teacher salary increase per year?

In California and Washington, substantial increases in state funding to school districts have led to significant pay raises for teachers. For Primary School Teachers, salaries range from $54,600 to $80,300, with a mid-salary of $66,500. This reflects the ongoing trend of salary increases, which were around 6.5% in California and 6.7% in Washington for the 2022-2023 school year.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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