Teacher Salary

Baltimore vs Catonsville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Baltimore, MD and Catonsville, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$77,149
$37.09/hr
Catonsville, MD
$67,409
$32.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDCatonsville, MD
Median Salary$77,149$67,409
Hourly Rate$37.09$32.40
Entry Level (P10)$49,904$53,387
25th Percentile$62,759$62,182
75th Percentile$100,213$86,192
Top Earner (P90)$103,080$104,484
Total Employed13,15010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($77,149) and Catonsville ($67,409) elementary school teacher salaries.BaltimoreCatonsvilleMedian Salary$77,149$67,409Entry Level (P10)$49,904$53,387Top Earner (P90)$103,080$104,484US Median $64,597

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Catonsville.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Catonsville is $9,740 (14.45%). Baltimore's median is +19.43% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $53,176,Catonsville spans $51,097. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$49,904
P25$62,759
Median$77,149
P75$100,213
P90 (Top)$103,080
Catonsville
P10 (Entry)$53,387
P25$62,182
Median$67,409
P75$86,192
P90 (Top)$104,484

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($73,836 effective) pays 19.72% more than Catonsville ($61,673 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $77,149
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $73,836
Catonsville
Nominal: $67,409
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $61,673

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,149/year)
  • Larger job market (13,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,836)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Catonsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,484)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Baltimore grew 5.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -18.0% growth in Catonsville over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+5.0%

$72,740 (2019) → $76,400 (2025)

Catonsville, MD

+-18.0%

$81,396 (2024) → $66,755 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Baltimore or Catonsville?

Baltimore has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,149/year, compared to Catonsville at $67,409/year — a difference of $9,740 (14.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Catonsville?

Baltimore elementary school teachers earn $37.09/hr while Catonsville hygienists earn $32.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Catonsville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Catonsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $73,836, Catonsville = $61,673), job availability (13,150 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Baltimore vs Catonsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,904 in Baltimore and $53,387 in Catonsville. The Catonsville 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