Upper Elementary Teacher Salary in the United States

How much does an Upper Elementary Teacher make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Upper Elementary Teacher in the United States is $58,671 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

However, an Upper Elementary Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $73,521
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,926 to $66,444
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,054
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View as table View as graph 25% $48,926 10% $40,054 90% $73,521 75% $66,444 $58,671 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Upper Elementary Teacher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $66,444 $5,537 $1,278 $32
Average $58,671 $4,889 $1,128 $28
25th Percentile $48,926 $4,077 $941 $24
Check out Upper Elementary Teacher Job Openings in the United States
Iroquois Point Elementary

Hawaii State Department of Education - EWA BEACH, HI

Iroquois Point Elementary

Hawaii State Department of Education - EWA BEACH, HI

Shafter Elementary

Hawaii State Department of Education - HONOLULU, HI

Kahului Elementary

Hawaii State Department of Education - KAHULUI, HI

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Key Factors That Influence Upper Elementary Teacher Salaries

An Upper Elementary 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 Upper Elementary Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Upper Elementary 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): $57,724
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,994
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $61,287
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,569
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,803
Levels Salary
Entry Level Upper Elementary Teacher$57,724
Intermediate Level Upper Elementary Teacher$57,994
Senior Level Upper Elementary Teacher$61,287
Specialist Level Upper Elementary Teacher$64,569
Expert Level Upper Elementary Teacher$64,803
$57,724 0 yr
$57,994 < 2 yrs
$61,287 2-4 yrs
$64,569 5-8 yrs
$64,803 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Upper Elementary Teacher Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Upper Elementary Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $64,961.
  • California: $64,714.
  • Massachusetts: $63,852.

Top Paying Cities for Upper Elementary 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: $74,002
  • San Francisco: $73,274
  • Oakland: $71,649

What Skills Can Increase an Upper Elementary 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 an Upper Elementary 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
$65,125
11%
Human Relations
$61,605
5%
Spring
$61,018
4%
Coaching
$60,431
3%
Collective Bargaining
$60,431
3%
Written Communication
$59,844
2%
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Upper Elementary Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Upper Elementary 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Upper Elementary Teacher

Salaries for an Upper Elementary Teacher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,498 in 2023 to around $53,298 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Upper Elementary Teacher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Upper Elementary Teacher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,498
2024
$53,731
2025
$53,298
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,498
2024 $53,731
2025 $53,298
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Upper Elementary Teacher

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

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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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