Teacher Salary

Baltimore vs Ellicott City: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Baltimore, MD
$77,149
$37.09/hr
Ellicott City, MD
$70,907
$34.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDEllicott City, MD
Median Salary$77,149$70,907
Hourly Rate$37.09$34.09
Entry Level (P10)$49,904$52,222
25th Percentile$62,759$62,733
75th Percentile$100,213$88,707
Top Earner (P90)$103,080$109,906
Total Employed13,15015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($77,149) and Ellicott City ($70,907) elementary school teacher salaries.BaltimoreEllicott CityMedian Salary$77,149$70,907Entry Level (P10)$49,904$52,222Top Earner (P90)$103,080$109,906US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baltimore and Ellicott City is $6,242 (8.80%). 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,Ellicott City spans $57,684. Ellicott City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$49,904
P25$62,759
Median$77,149
P75$100,213
P90 (Top)$103,080
Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$52,222
P25$62,733
Median$70,907
P75$88,707
P90 (Top)$109,906

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($73,836 effective) pays 13.81% more than Ellicott City ($64,874 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $77,149
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $73,836
Ellicott City
Nominal: $70,907
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $64,874

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 Ellicott City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,906)
  • 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 Ellicott City over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+5.0%

$72,740 (2019) → $76,400 (2025)

Ellicott City, MD

+-18.0%

$85,620 (2024) → $70,219 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Baltimore or Ellicott City?

Baltimore has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,149/year, compared to Ellicott City at $70,907/year — a difference of $6,242 (8.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Ellicott City?

Baltimore elementary school teachers earn $37.09/hr while Ellicott City hygienists earn $34.09/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Ellicott City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $73,836, Ellicott City = $64,874), job availability (13,150 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,904 in Baltimore and $52,222 in Ellicott City. The Ellicott City 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