Teacher Salary

Ballwin vs Springfield: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Ballwin, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ballwin, MO
$47,378
$22.78/hr
Springfield, MO
$49,864
$23.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBallwin, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$47,378$49,864
Hourly Rate$22.78$23.97
Entry Level (P10)$36,391$40,675
25th Percentile$42,869$47,743
75th Percentile$59,696$61,234
Top Earner (P90)$73,436$72,615
Total Employed42,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ballwin ($47,378) and Springfield ($49,864) elementary school teacher salaries.BallwinSpringfieldMedian Salary$47,378$49,864Entry Level (P10)$36,391$40,675Top Earner (P90)$73,436$72,615US Median $64,597

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Ballwin.

The salary gap between Ballwin and Springfield is $2,486 (5.25%). Springfield's median is -22.81% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ballwin spans $37,045,Springfield spans $31,940. Ballwin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ballwin
P10 (Entry)$36,391
P25$42,869
Median$47,378
P75$59,696
P90 (Top)$73,436
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$40,675
P25$47,743
Median$49,864
P75$61,234
P90 (Top)$72,615

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($56,289 effective) pays 6.45% more than Ballwin ($52,877 effective).

Ballwin
Nominal: $47,378
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $52,877
Springfield
Nominal: $49,864
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $56,289

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ballwin if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($73,436)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,864/year)
  • Larger job market (2,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,289)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Ballwin grew -2.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.0% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Ballwin, MO

+-2.4%

$48,089 (2024) → $46,918 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+7.0%

$46,140 (2019) → $49,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Ballwin or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $49,864/year, compared to Ballwin at $47,378/year — a difference of $2,486 (5.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ballwin and Springfield?

Ballwin elementary school teachers earn $22.78/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $23.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ballwin to Springfield as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ballwin and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ballwin = $52,877, Springfield = $56,289), job availability (4 vs 2,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Ballwin vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $36,391 in Ballwin and $40,675 in Springfield. The Springfield 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