Education
Elementary School Teacher — Career & Salary Intelligence
Elementary School Teacher careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
National median
$63,970
Entry (p10)
$47,960
Top 10% (p90)
$104,340
Career score
53/100
Moderate Career
Career overview
Elementary School Teacher careers, salary ranges across the United States, education requirements, and growth outlook.
Career stability score 77/100. Automation risk 14/100. Remote-work compatibility 45/100.
What the job pays nationally
The published wage distribution for this occupation, before any location adjustment. These are pay percentiles, not years of experience \u2014 the source data does not link the two.
| Percentile | What it means | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 1 in 10 earn less than this | $47,960 |
| 25th percentile | 1 in 4 earn less than this | $57,710 |
| Median | Half earn more, half earn less | $63,970 |
| 75th percentile | 1 in 4 earn more than this | $81,450 |
| 90th percentile | 1 in 10 earn more than this | $104,340 |
Salary by location
Cost-of-living adjusted mid-level compensation.
| City | COL | Median | p90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | $96,900 | $136,330 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 176 | $101,860 | $129,130 |
| Chicago, IL | 107 | $78,390 | $105,250 |
| Houston, TX | 96 | $64,500 | $74,430 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 104 | $59,180 | $81,520 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 101 | $78,570 | $100,940 |
| San Antonio, TX | 90 | $61,720 | $65,640 |
| San Diego, CA | 160 | $97,000 | $123,450 |
| Dallas, TX | 103 | $65,070 | $76,340 |
| San Jose, CA | 202 | $102,860 | $126,980 |
| Austin, TX | 119 | $61,270 | $64,410 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 93 | $61,080 | $79,160 |
Salary by education
Approximate compensation by educational attainment.
| Education level | Estimated salary | vs Bachelor's |
|---|---|---|
| High School | $45,000 | -30% |
| Associate Degree | $52,000 | -18% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $64,000 | — |
| Master's Degree | $80,000 | 25% |
| Doctorate / Professional | $99,000 | 55% |
| Professional Certifications | $72,000 | 12% |
10-year career growth forecast
Projected compensation assuming standard market growth.
Certifications that increase earnings
Master's in Education (M.Ed)
Salary-schedule lane advancement
Approx. uplift: +12%
National Board Certification
Multi-state portability + stipends
Approx. uplift: +8%
Career Opportunity Score breakdown
Overall
53/100
Moderate
Moderate Career
Compensation
39/100
Weak
Growth
62/100
Moderate
Demand
55/100
Moderate
Stability
77/100
Strong
Advancement
41/100
Weak
Remote flexibility
45/100
Moderate
Frequently asked questions about Elementary School Teacher
Common questions about salary, education, growth, and total compensation.