Teacher Salary

Boston vs Holyoke: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Boston, MA and Holyoke, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$99,021
$47.60/hr
Holyoke, MA
$80,252
$38.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAHolyoke, MA
Median Salary$99,021$80,252
Hourly Rate$47.60$38.58
Entry Level (P10)$62,264$59,958
25th Percentile$78,583$71,370
75th Percentile$105,262$102,722
Top Earner (P90)$126,104$124,390
Total Employed20,3407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($99,021) and Holyoke ($80,252) elementary school teacher salaries.BostonHolyokeMedian Salary$99,021$80,252Entry Level (P10)$62,264$59,958Top Earner (P90)$126,104$124,390US Median $64,597

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Holyoke.

The salary gap between Boston and Holyoke is $18,769 (23.39%). Boston's median is +53.29% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $63,840,Holyoke spans $64,432. Holyoke has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$62,264
P25$78,583
Median$99,021
P75$105,262
P90 (Top)$126,104
Holyoke
P10 (Entry)$59,958
P25$71,370
Median$80,252
P75$102,722
P90 (Top)$124,390

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($91,461 effective) pays 23.65% more than Holyoke ($73,965 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $99,021
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $91,461
Holyoke
Nominal: $80,252
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $73,965

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,021/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,104)
  • Larger job market (20,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,461)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Holyoke if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Boston grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -14.8% growth in Holyoke over the same period.

Boston, MA

+19.6%

$81,990 (2019) → $98,060 (2025)

Holyoke, MA

+-14.8%

$93,271 (2024) → $79,473 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Boston or Holyoke?

Boston has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $99,021/year, compared to Holyoke at $80,252/year — a difference of $18,769 (23.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Holyoke?

Boston elementary school teachers earn $47.60/hr while Holyoke hygienists earn $38.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Holyoke as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Holyoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $91,461, Holyoke = $73,965), job availability (20,340 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Boston vs Holyoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $62,264 in Boston and $59,958 in Holyoke. The Boston 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