Teacher Salary

Avon Lake vs Cleveland: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Avon Lake, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avon Lake, OH
$71,137
$34.20/hr
Cleveland, OH
$77,219
$37.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvon Lake, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$71,137$77,219
Hourly Rate$34.20$37.12
Entry Level (P10)$57,546$47,360
25th Percentile$66,301$60,548
75th Percentile$89,137$97,011
Top Earner (P90)$108,015$99,718
Total Employed55,460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avon Lake ($71,137) and Cleveland ($77,219) elementary school teacher salaries.Avon LakeClevelandMedian Salary$71,137$77,219Entry Level (P10)$57,546$47,360Top Earner (P90)$108,015$99,718US Median $64,597

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Avon Lake.

The salary gap between Avon Lake and Cleveland is $6,082 (8.55%). Cleveland's median is +19.54% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avon Lake spans $50,469,Cleveland spans $52,358. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Avon Lake
P10 (Entry)$57,546
P25$66,301
Median$71,137
P75$89,137
P90 (Top)$108,015
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$47,360
P25$60,548
Median$77,219
P75$97,011
P90 (Top)$99,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($82,215 effective) pays 4.82% more than Avon Lake ($78,431 effective).

Avon Lake
Nominal: $71,137
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $78,431
Cleveland
Nominal: $77,219
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $82,215

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avon Lake if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,015)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,219/year)
  • Larger job market (5,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,215)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Avon Lake grew 24.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.5% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Avon Lake, OH

+24.0%

$56,818 (2024) → $70,447 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+6.5%

$71,830 (2019) → $76,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Avon Lake or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,219/year, compared to Avon Lake at $71,137/year — a difference of $6,082 (8.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avon Lake and Cleveland?

Avon Lake elementary school teachers earn $34.20/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $37.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avon Lake to Cleveland as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avon Lake and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avon Lake = $78,431, Cleveland = $82,215), job availability (5 vs 5,460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Avon Lake vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $57,546 in Avon Lake and $47,360 in Cleveland. The Avon Lake 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