Teacher Salary

Boston vs Peabody: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$99,021
$47.60/hr
Peabody, MA
$82,232
$39.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAPeabody, MA
Median Salary$99,021$82,232
Hourly Rate$47.60$39.53
Entry Level (P10)$62,264$60,120
25th Percentile$78,583$75,554
75th Percentile$105,262$102,669
Top Earner (P90)$126,104$127,460
Total Employed20,3408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($99,021) and Peabody ($82,232) elementary school teacher salaries.BostonPeabodyMedian Salary$99,021$82,232Entry Level (P10)$62,264$60,120Top Earner (P90)$126,104$127,460US Median $64,597

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peabody.

The salary gap between Boston and Peabody is $16,789 (20.42%). 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,Peabody spans $67,340. Peabody 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
Peabody
P10 (Entry)$60,120
P25$75,554
Median$82,232
P75$102,669
P90 (Top)$127,460

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($91,461 effective) pays 20.68% more than Peabody ($75,790 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $99,021
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $91,461
Peabody
Nominal: $82,232
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $75,790

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)
  • Larger job market (20,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,461)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Peabody if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,460)
  • 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 Peabody over the same period.

Boston, MA

+19.6%

$81,990 (2019) → $98,060 (2025)

Peabody, MA

+-14.8%

$95,573 (2024) → $81,434 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boston has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $99,021/year, compared to Peabody at $82,232/year — a difference of $16,789 (20.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Peabody?

Boston elementary school teachers earn $47.60/hr while Peabody hygienists earn $39.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Peabody. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $91,461, Peabody = $75,790), job availability (20,340 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $62,264 in Boston and $60,120 in Peabody. 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