Teacher Salary

Allentown vs New Castle: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Allentown, PA and New Castle, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$79,815
$38.37/hr
New Castle, PA
$74,072
$35.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PANew Castle, PA
Median Salary$79,815$74,072
Hourly Rate$38.37$35.62
Entry Level (P10)$54,398$58,458
25th Percentile$63,365$70,811
75th Percentile$97,163$90,133
Top Earner (P90)$100,223$110,945
Total Employed4,2604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($79,815) and New Castle ($74,072) elementary school teacher salaries.AllentownNew CastleMedian Salary$79,815$74,072Entry Level (P10)$54,398$58,458Top Earner (P90)$100,223$110,945US Median $64,597

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Castle.

The salary gap between Allentown and New Castle is $5,743 (7.75%). Allentown's median is +23.56% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $45,825,New Castle spans $52,487. New Castle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$54,398
P25$63,365
Median$79,815
P75$97,163
P90 (Top)$100,223
New Castle
P10 (Entry)$58,458
P25$70,811
Median$74,072
P75$90,133
P90 (Top)$110,945

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($79,841 effective) pays 4.99% more than New Castle ($76,049 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $79,815
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $79,841
New Castle
Nominal: $74,072
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $76,049

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,815/year)
  • Larger job market (4,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,841)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose New Castle if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,945)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Allentown grew 4.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.3% growth in New Castle over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+4.2%

$75,830 (2019) → $79,040 (2025)

New Castle, PA

+9.3%

$67,094 (2024) → $73,353 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Allentown or New Castle?

Allentown has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $79,815/year, compared to New Castle at $74,072/year — a difference of $5,743 (7.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and New Castle?

Allentown elementary school teachers earn $38.37/hr while New Castle hygienists earn $35.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to New Castle as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and New Castle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $79,841, New Castle = $76,049), job availability (4,260 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Allentown vs New Castle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $54,398 in Allentown and $58,458 in New Castle. The New Castle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov