Elementary Education Teacher Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Elementary Education Teacher in the United States is $53,820 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,865
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,941 to $60,648
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,767

Key Factors That Influence Elementary Education Teacher Salaries

An Elementary Education 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Elementary Education Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Elementary Education 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): $50,657
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $50,899
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,820
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,632
  • Expert (over 8 years): $56,833
Levels Salary
Entry Level Elementary Education Teacher$50,657
Intermediate Level Elementary Education Teacher$50,899
Senior Level Elementary Education Teacher$53,820
Specialist Level Elementary Education Teacher$56,632
Expert Level Elementary Education Teacher$56,833

Top Paying Cities for Elementary Education 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: $67,883
  • San Francisco: $67,140
  • Oakland: $65,725

What Skills Can Increase an Elementary Education Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.13% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Special Education (Mentioned in 5.55% Job Postings): Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual differences, disabilities, and special needs.
  • Physical Education (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys Ed. or P.E., is a subject taught in schools around the world. It is usually taught during primary and secondary education, and encourages psychomotor learning.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.13%
Special Education 5.55%
Physical Education 2.46%

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 Education Teacher's salary.

  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Physical Education: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability $57,049
6%
Collaboration $56,511
5%
Physical Education $55,435
3%

Elementary Education Teacher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Elementary Education Teacher roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Elementary Education Teacher positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Elementary Education Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Elementary Education Teacher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$64,584$31.020%
Software & Networking$64,584$31.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$59,202$28.010%

How Education impacts an Elementary Education Teacher's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Elementary Education Teachers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Elementary Education Teacher with a Bachelor's Degree is between $54,827 and $60,665).

Elementary Education Teacher Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Elementary Education Teacher
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 2.6%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 45.4%
Masters 46.3%
Doctorate 3.4%

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

Understanding how an Elementary Education 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 September 01, 2026
$45,941
Average $53,820/year
$60,648
$3,828
Average $4,485/month
$5,054
$883
Average $1,035/week
$1,166
$22
Average $26/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $60,648 $5,054 $1,166 $29
Average $53,820 $4,485 $1,035 $26
25th Percentile $45,941 $3,828 $883 $22

Most common benefits for Elementary Education Teacher

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Elementary Education Teacher

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

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FAQ about Elementary Education Teacher

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Elementary Education Teacher roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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