How much does a elementary school teacher make?
The median elementary school teacher in the United States earns $63,970 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all elementary school teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-2021.
Elementary school teacher salary range
Pay for elementary school teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,960 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $104,340. The average (mean) wage of $72,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,960 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,710 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,970 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,450 | |
| 90th percentile | $104,340 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for elementary school teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Elementary school teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Elementary school teachers earn the most in Washington at $102,350 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $48,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 | 28,980 |
| California | $99,650 | 155,160 |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 | 3,750 |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 | 29,930 |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 | 3,830 |
| New York | $85,760 | 101,410 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 | 16,330 |
| Alaska | $79,260 | 3,500 |
| New Jersey | $78,200 | 40,300 |
| Maryland | $77,680 | 29,610 |
| Ohio | $77,370 | 47,870 |
| Oregon | $77,130 | 12,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,060 | 48,370 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 | 26,640 |
| Delaware | $75,920 | 2,900 |
| Illinois | $75,320 | 61,520 |
| Utah | $74,810 | 14,820 |
| New Mexico | $74,550 | 6,210 |
| New Hampshire | $72,410 | 5,190 |
| Georgia | $72,290 | 43,820 |
| Hawaii | $71,410 | 6,040 |
| Virginia | $65,550 | 37,880 |
| Michigan | $65,110 | 40,910 |
| Nevada | $65,040 | 9,550 |
| Colorado | $63,410 | 24,860 |
| Vermont | $63,070 | 3,610 |
| Texas | $62,760 | 116,260 |
| Maine | $62,390 | 7,490 |
| Nebraska | $62,380 | 8,710 |
| Idaho | $61,600 | 6,850 |
| Alabama | $61,380 | 22,030 |
| Wisconsin | $61,210 | 24,920 |
| Wyoming | $61,150 | 2,600 |
| South Carolina | $60,820 | 25,030 |
| Kentucky | $60,610 | 19,080 |
| Iowa | $60,580 | 17,300 |
| North Dakota | $60,030 | 4,430 |
| Tennessee | $59,980 | 28,240 |
| Indiana | $59,700 | 27,720 |
| Florida | $58,930 | 79,090 |
| Louisiana | $58,770 | 22,060 |
| Montana | $57,530 | 4,960 |
| Arizona | $56,590 | 24,240 |
| Kansas | $56,450 | 14,350 |
| West Virginia | $55,630 | 5,420 |
| North Carolina | $54,930 | 42,410 |
| Arkansas | $52,700 | 12,590 |
| Missouri | $50,910 | 33,180 |
| South Dakota | $50,130 | 4,290 |
| Mississippi | $49,790 | 11,060 |
| Oklahoma | $48,200 | 18,500 |
State median wages for elementary school teachers, except special education (SOC 25-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for elementary school teachers
The BLS projects employment of elementary school teachers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,419,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,413,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 87,500 openings a year for elementary school teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an elementary school teacher
The typical entry-level education for elementary school teachers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an elementary school teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $102,350) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $48,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,388,390 people work as elementary school teachers in the United States. At $63,970 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Elementary school teacher salary FAQ
How much does an elementary school teacher make an hour?
Elementary school teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $63,970.
What is the highest elementary school teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of elementary school teachers earn more than $104,340 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an elementary school teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for an elementary school teacher is $63,970. The average (mean) wage of $72,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an elementary school teacher a well paid job?
At $63,970 a year, an elementary school teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,388,390 people work as elementary school teachers in the United States.
Which state pays elementary school teachers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for elementary school teachers at $102,350 a year. California ($99,650) and District of Columbia ($96,580) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an elementary school teacher a good career?
Employment of elementary school teachers is projected to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 87,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an elementary school teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for elementary school teachers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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