Teacher / K-12 Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$62,000
national median salary
$51,000 to $79,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021) across the United States, based on 1,388,390 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$47,960
25th percentile
$57,710
Median
$63,970
75th percentile
$81,450
90th percentile
$104,340
Workers surveyed
1,388,390
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$62,340
May 2025 release
$63,970
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021) rather than Teacher / K-12specifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 25-2021Highest Paying
$85,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$65,000
Honolulu, HI
Lowest Paying
$49,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 25-2021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Teacher / K-12 salary in the United States at $62,000 in 2026, within a range of $51,000 to $79,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $85,000, while Honolulu offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. State and district funding levels, subject area specialization, and years of experience on the salary schedule create the widest pay differences.
Teacher / K-12 salary by city.
Skills that increase Teacher / K-12 pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Teacher / K-12s based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,680 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,680 per year
≈ +$8,060 per year
≈ +$7,440 per year
≈ +$6,820 per year
≈ +$6,820 per year
≈ +$6,200 per year
≈ +$6,200 per year
≈ +$5,580 per year
What you should know.
State and district funding levels, subject area specialization, and years of experience on the salary schedule create the widest pay differences. STEM and special education teachers in high-cost-of-living districts earn the most. National Board Certification adds a stipend in many states.
First-year teachers earn $40,000 to $48,000 depending on state. Teachers with 10 to 15 years and a master's degree reach $55,000 to $65,000. Department Heads and Master Teachers earn $65,000 to $80,000, while Principals and Administrators command $85,000 to $120,000.
Benefits packages including pension plans, health insurance, and summer break add significant non-salary value often worth $15,000 to $25,000. Many teachers supplement income with tutoring, coaching stipends, or summer programs adding $3,000 to $10,000.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Teacher / K-12s typically earn $56,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Teacher / K-12 pay.
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