Teacher Salary

Brooklyn Park vs St. Cloud: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Brooklyn Park, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brooklyn Park, MN
$73,241
$35.21/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$73,877
$35.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrooklyn Park, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$73,241$73,877
Hourly Rate$35.21$35.51
Entry Level (P10)$52,112$49,844
25th Percentile$68,045$58,659
75th Percentile$92,084$81,410
Top Earner (P90)$113,524$89,135
Total Employed17950
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brooklyn Park ($73,241) and St. Cloud ($73,877) elementary school teacher salaries.Brooklyn ParkSt. CloudMedian Salary$73,241$73,877Entry Level (P10)$52,112$49,844Top Earner (P90)$113,524$89,135US Median $64,597

Verdict

St. Cloud, MN offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brooklyn Park.

The salary gap between Brooklyn Park and St. Cloud is $636 (0.87%). St. Cloud's median is +14.37% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brooklyn Park spans $61,412,St. Cloud spans $39,291. Brooklyn Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brooklyn Park
P10 (Entry)$52,112
P25$68,045
Median$73,241
P75$92,084
P90 (Top)$113,524
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$49,844
P25$58,659
Median$73,877
P75$81,410
P90 (Top)$89,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($84,304 effective) pays 13.38% more than Brooklyn Park ($74,356 effective).

Brooklyn Park
Nominal: $73,241
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $74,356
St. Cloud
Nominal: $73,877
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $84,304

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brooklyn Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,524)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,877/year)
  • Larger job market (950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,304)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Brooklyn Park grew 3.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Brooklyn Park, MN

+3.2%

$70,309 (2024) → $72,530 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+29.7%

$56,400 (2019) → $73,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Brooklyn Park or St. Cloud?

St. Cloud has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $73,877/year, compared to Brooklyn Park at $73,241/year — a difference of $636 (0.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brooklyn Park and St. Cloud?

Brooklyn Park elementary school teachers earn $35.21/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $35.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brooklyn Park to St. Cloud as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brooklyn Park and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brooklyn Park = $74,356, St. Cloud = $84,304), job availability (17 vs 950 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Brooklyn Park vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $52,112 in Brooklyn Park and $49,844 in St. Cloud. The Brooklyn Park 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