Teacher Salary

Caldwell vs Twin Falls: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Caldwell, ID and Twin Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Caldwell, ID
$62,240
$29.92/hr
Twin Falls, ID
$61,487
$29.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCaldwell, IDTwin Falls, ID
Median Salary$62,240$61,487
Hourly Rate$29.92$29.56
Entry Level (P10)$44,381$47,026
25th Percentile$57,706$49,006
75th Percentile$78,133$62,870
Top Earner (P90)$96,472$76,078
Total Employed8490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Caldwell ($62,240) and Twin Falls ($61,487) elementary school teacher salaries.CaldwellTwin FallsMedian Salary$62,240$61,487Entry Level (P10)$44,381$47,026Top Earner (P90)$96,472$76,078US Median $64,597

Verdict

Caldwell, ID offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Twin Falls.

The salary gap between Caldwell and Twin Falls is $753 (1.22%). Caldwell's median is -3.65% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Caldwell spans $52,091,Twin Falls spans $29,052. Caldwell has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Caldwell
P10 (Entry)$44,381
P25$57,706
Median$62,240
P75$78,133
P90 (Top)$96,472
Twin Falls
P10 (Entry)$47,026
P25$49,006
Median$61,487
P75$62,870
P90 (Top)$76,078

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Twin Falls ($66,755 effective) pays 2.21% more than Caldwell ($65,310 effective).

Caldwell
Nominal: $62,240
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $65,310
Twin Falls
Nominal: $61,487
CoL Index: 92.108
Adjusted: $66,755

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Caldwell if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,240/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,472)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Twin Falls if…

  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,755)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Caldwell grew 16.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.0% growth in Twin Falls over the same period.

Caldwell, ID

+16.7%

$52,827 (2024) → $61,636 (2025)

Twin Falls, ID

+39.0%

$43,800 (2019) → $60,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Caldwell or Twin Falls?

Caldwell has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,240/year, compared to Twin Falls at $61,487/year — a difference of $753 (1.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Caldwell and Twin Falls?

Caldwell elementary school teachers earn $29.92/hr while Twin Falls hygienists earn $29.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Caldwell to Twin Falls as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Caldwell and Twin Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Caldwell = $65,310, Twin Falls = $66,755), job availability (8 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Caldwell vs Twin Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,381 in Caldwell and $47,026 in Twin Falls. The Twin Falls area offers higher starting salaries.
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