Teacher Salary

Baltimore vs Towson: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Baltimore, MD
$77,149
$37.09/hr
Towson, MD
$76,850
$36.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDTowson, MD
Median Salary$77,149$76,850
Hourly Rate$37.09$36.95
Entry Level (P10)$49,904$60,494
25th Percentile$62,759$70,912
75th Percentile$100,213$98,368
Top Earner (P90)$103,080$119,117
Total Employed13,15011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($77,149) and Towson ($76,850) elementary school teacher salaries.BaltimoreTowsonMedian Salary$77,149$76,850Entry Level (P10)$49,904$60,494Top Earner (P90)$103,080$119,117US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baltimore and Towson is $299 (0.39%). 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,Towson spans $58,623. Towson 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
Towson
P10 (Entry)$60,494
P25$70,912
Median$76,850
P75$98,368
P90 (Top)$119,117

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($73,836 effective) pays 5.01% more than Towson ($70,311 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $77,149
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $73,836
Towson
Nominal: $76,850
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $70,311

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 Towson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,117)
  • 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 -9.5% growth in Towson over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+5.0%

$72,740 (2019) → $76,400 (2025)

Towson, MD

+-9.5%

$84,074 (2024) → $76,104 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Baltimore has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,149/year, compared to Towson at $76,850/year — a difference of $299 (0.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Towson?

Baltimore elementary school teachers earn $37.09/hr while Towson hygienists earn $36.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Towson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $73,836, Towson = $70,311), job availability (13,150 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,904 in Baltimore and $60,494 in Towson. The Towson 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