Teacher Salary

Atlantic City vs New Brunswick: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$81,269
$39.07/hr
New Brunswick, NJ
$74,700
$35.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJNew Brunswick, NJ
Median Salary$81,269$74,700
Hourly Rate$39.07$35.91
Entry Level (P10)$60,154$54,957
25th Percentile$64,930$66,045
75th Percentile$99,667$95,159
Top Earner (P90)$103,595$115,785
Total Employed1,6208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($81,269) and New Brunswick ($74,700) elementary school teacher salaries.Atlantic CityNew BrunswickMedian Salary$81,269$74,700Entry Level (P10)$60,154$54,957Top Earner (P90)$103,595$115,785US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlantic City and New Brunswick is $6,569 (8.79%). 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,New Brunswick spans $60,828. New Brunswick 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
New Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$54,957
P25$66,045
Median$74,700
P75$95,159
P90 (Top)$115,785

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($82,209 effective) pays 26.78% more than New Brunswick ($64,844 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $81,269
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $82,209
New Brunswick
Nominal: $74,700
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $64,844

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 New Brunswick if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,785)
  • 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 New Brunswick over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+3.8%

$77,510 (2019) → $80,480 (2025)

New Brunswick, NJ

+-22.0%

$94,825 (2024) → $73,975 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Atlantic City has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $81,269/year, compared to New Brunswick at $74,700/year — a difference of $6,569 (8.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and New Brunswick?

Atlantic City elementary school teachers earn $39.07/hr while New Brunswick hygienists earn $35.91/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and New Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $82,209, New Brunswick = $64,844), job availability (1,620 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $60,154 in Atlantic City and $54,957 in New Brunswick. 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