Elementary Education Teacher Salary Outlook

Elementary school teachers play a crucial role in society, laying the foundation for children's academic and social development. This article provides an overview of the elementary education teacher salary outlook, including factors that influence pay, best-paying states and cities, and job prospects.

How Much Do Elementary School Teachers Make?

In 2024, Elementary School Teachers made a median salary of $62,340. The best-paid 25% made $79,410 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $50,680. The median annual wage for elementary school teachers, except special education was $62,340 in May 2024. The median annual wage for kindergarten teachers, except special education was $61,430 in May 2024.

Factors Influencing Salary

Several factors can influence an elementary school teacher's salary, including:

Location: Salaries vary significantly by state and city, with some areas offering much higher pay than others.
Education and Experience: Teachers with advanced degrees and more years of experience typically earn higher salaries. Classroom experience affects teachers' salaries in most states. Many school districts supply a salary schedule dictating the pay for teachers at different levels of experience and education.
Public vs. Private Schools: Public school teachers generally earn more than private school teachers. First, it’s important to note that private school teachers typically make a lot less than public school teachers.
Specialization: Teachers with endorsements in high-demand areas like math, science, or bilingual education may command higher salaries.
Additional certifications: Earning additional degrees can help teachers increase their salaries. Earning higher-level degrees may translate to specialized skills and increased pay. Advanced degrees require considerable educational investments, but the potential salary increase may offset some of those costs. Elementary teachers must complete continuing education to keep their teaching licenses current.

Best-Paying States for Elementary School Teachers

Teacher salaries vary across the country because of factors like population density and cost of living. The top-paying states for elementary school teachers include:

California: $93,150
Washington: $93,080
New York: $91,990
District of Columbia: $90,700
Massachusetts: $84,050

The five states that average the highest annual pay for public school teachers are: New York ($79,637), California ($78,711), Massachusetts ($77,804), District of Columbia ($76,131), Connecticut ($72,561).

Best-Paying Cities for Elementary School Teachers

Living in an urban metropolitan area offers perks like access to entertainment and public transportation, along with greater job prospects. Furthermore, teachers working in large cities may earn higher salaries. The best-paying cities for elementary school teachers include:

El Centro, California: $107,690
Visalia, California: $99,290
San Jose, California: $98,020
Seattle, Washington: $97,740
Los Angeles, California: $97,460

School districts in the greater New York and Los Angeles metro areas offer especially high pay. However, one thing to keep in mind is that the cost of living varies between states and regions. For example, while the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area has the highest salary for public school teachers at over $87,000 a year, the New York City region has the highest cost of living in the nation (and the 13th highest in the world).

Job Outlook for Elementary School Teachers

The BLS expects an increase in student enrollment for public kindergarten and elementary schools from 2019-2029. The BLS projects a 4% growth rate in elementary education teacher jobs from 2019-2029. As long as there are children, we’ll need teachers.

The BLS projects a 4% growth rate in elementary education teacher jobs from 2019-2029. Overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2024 to 2034. The number of students enrolling in public kindergarten and elementary schools is expected to decrease over the projections decade. About 103,800 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Factors Affecting Job Prospects

The job outlook for elementary school teachers is influenced by several factors:

Read also: Choosing Elementary Programs

Student Enrollment: Changes in student enrollment can impact the demand for teachers. The number of students enrolling in public kindergarten and elementary schools is expected to decrease over the projections decade.
State and Local Government Budgets: Employment growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers also will depend on state and local government budgets.
Teacher Shortages: Despite a projected decline in overall employment, some states are struggling to find enough qualified teachers to meet the demand.2

Areas of Opportunity

Educators who teach math, science, or bilingual studies or who hold multiple endorsements may find more job opportunities. In many states, there is currently a high demand for educators who have endorsements in math and science. Many areas also have shortages of bilingual teachers, as well as shortages of teachers who are willing to work in urban or rural school districts.

How to Become an Elementary School Teacher

The traditional path to elementary school teaching is to get a four-year undergraduate degree in elementary education. Elementary education degrees are offered through on-campus programs as well as through online distance learning, though to qualify graduates for licensure, online degrees must typically include an in-person student internship component in a classroom. The primary way to become an elementary school teacher is:

Earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education that includes a teacher preparation program. If you want to become a teacher at the elementary school level, you should seriously consider earning a BS in Elementary Education. This teaching degree can help you gain the knowledge and teaching strategies you need to succeed in the classroom-and it can prepare you for teacher certification.
Complete an official internship in an elementary school classroom.
Take your state’s licensing exams for elementary teachers.
Apply for a license through your state board of education.
Once you have received your license, begin applying for open positions.

Education and Certification

All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified in the specific grade level that they will teach. Those who teach in private schools typically do not need a license. Teachers are frequently required to complete professional development classes to keep their license or certification.

Public kindergarten and elementary school teachers typically need a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Private schools typically have the same requirement. Those with a bachelor’s degree in another subject can still become elementary education teachers. They must complete a teacher education program to obtain certification to teach.

Skills and Qualities

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers need to be able to explain concepts in terms young students can understand. The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties:

Communication skills. Teachers need to discuss students’ needs with parents and administrators.
Patience. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must respond with patience when students struggle with material.
Physical stamina. Working with kindergarten- and elementary-age students can be tiring.
Resourcefulness. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers must be able to get students engaged in learning.
Critical-thinking skills.
Interpersonal skills.
Speaking skills.
Writing skills.

Alternative Career Paths for Elementary Education Teachers

Although schools are the most common workplace for elementary educators, other industries also employ individuals with education credentials. Elementary education teachers possess transferable skills that can help them earn promotions later in their careers. Elementary teachers who want to advance in their careers can pursue master's degrees or additional certificates. Experienced teachers may advance to serve as mentors to new teachers or become lead teachers. With additional education or certification, teachers may become school counselors, school librarians, or instructional coordinators.

Curriculum Developer: These professionals create academic material and develop coursework for education levels. Elementary educators can use their knowledge to make recommendations and implement change in the educational industry.
Assistant Principal: These administrators take on management roles in elementary, middle, and high schools. They oversee aspects of education like curriculum, discipline, and organization.
Principal: School principals hold the highest responsibilities in school buildings. They evaluate teacher performance, identify student needs, and create action plans with other educational leaders.
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards.
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills.

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