Elementary Classroom Teacher Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Elementary Classroom Teacher in the United States is $61,931 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,935
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,861 to $69,785
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,604
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View as table View as graph 25% $52,861 10% $44,604 90% $76,935 75% $69,785 $61,931 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Elementary Classroom Teacher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $69,785 $5,815 $1,342 $34
Average $61,931 $5,161 $1,191 $30
25th Percentile $52,861 $4,405 $1,017 $25
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Elementary School Building

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Key Factors That Influence Elementary Classroom Teacher Salaries

An Elementary Classroom 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 Elementary Classroom Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Elementary Classroom 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): $58,291
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $58,569
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $61,931
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,165
  • Expert (over 8 years): $65,396
Levels Salary
Entry Level Elementary Classroom Teacher$58,291
Intermediate Level Elementary Classroom Teacher$58,569
Senior Level Elementary Classroom Teacher$61,931
Specialist Level Elementary Classroom Teacher$65,165
Expert Level Elementary Classroom Teacher$65,396
$58,291 0 yr
$58,569 < 2 yrs
$61,931 2-4 yrs
$65,165 5-8 yrs
$65,396 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Elementary Classroom 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 Elementary Classroom Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $68,570.
  • California: $68,310.
  • Massachusetts: $67,399.

Top Paying Cities for Elementary Classroom 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: $78,113
  • San Francisco: $77,258
  • Oakland: $75,630

What Skills Can Increase an Elementary Classroom 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 Elementary Classroom 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
$68,743
11%
Human Relations
$65,027
5%
Spring
$64,408
4%
Coaching
$63,789
3%
Collective Bargaining
$63,789
3%
Written Communication
$63,169
2%
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Elementary Classroom Teacher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Elementary Classroom 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, Elementary Classroom Teacher positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Elementary Classroom Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Elementary Classroom Teacher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$68,124$33.010%
Healthcare$65,027$31.05%

Elementary Classroom Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Elementary Classroom 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Elementary Classroom Teacher

Salaries for an Elementary Classroom Teacher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,044 in 2023 to around $53,831 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Elementary Classroom Teacher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Elementary Classroom Teacher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,044
2024
$54,269
2025
$53,831
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,044
2024 $54,269
2025 $53,831
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Elementary Classroom Teacher

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

Here are companies hiring for Elementary Classroom Teacher and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Elementary Classroom Teacher Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Elementary Classroom Teacher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    7 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    7 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    7 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full Bene... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about Elementary Classroom Teacher

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Elementary Classroom Teacher?

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

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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