Teacher Salary

Atlantic City vs Linden: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Linden, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$81,269
$39.07/hr
Linden, NJ
$72,855
$35.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJLinden, NJ
Median Salary$81,269$72,855
Hourly Rate$39.07$35.03
Entry Level (P10)$60,154$54,700
25th Percentile$64,930$64,991
75th Percentile$99,667$91,006
Top Earner (P90)$103,595$112,925
Total Employed1,6207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($81,269) and Linden ($72,855) elementary school teacher salaries.Atlantic CityLindenMedian Salary$81,269$72,855Entry Level (P10)$60,154$54,700Top Earner (P90)$103,595$112,925US Median $64,597

Verdict

Atlantic City, NJ offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Linden.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Linden is $8,414 (11.55%). Atlantic City's median is +25.81% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $43,441,Linden spans $58,225. Linden has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$60,154
P25$64,930
Median$81,269
P75$99,667
P90 (Top)$103,595
Linden
P10 (Entry)$54,700
P25$64,991
Median$72,855
P75$91,006
P90 (Top)$112,925

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($82,209 effective) pays 29.99% more than Linden ($63,242 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $81,269
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $82,209
Linden
Nominal: $72,855
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $63,242

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,269/year)
  • Larger job market (1,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,209)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Linden if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,925)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Atlantic City grew 3.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -22.0% growth in Linden over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+3.8%

$77,510 (2019) → $80,480 (2025)

Linden, NJ

+-22.0%

$92,484 (2024) → $72,148 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Atlantic City or Linden?

Atlantic City has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $81,269/year, compared to Linden at $72,855/year — a difference of $8,414 (11.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Linden?

Atlantic City elementary school teachers earn $39.07/hr while Linden hygienists earn $35.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Linden as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Linden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $82,209, Linden = $63,242), job availability (1,620 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Atlantic City vs Linden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $60,154 in Atlantic City and $54,700 in Linden. The Atlantic City area offers higher starting salaries.
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