Teacher Salary

Carrollton vs Dallas: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Carrollton, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrollton, TX
$61,594
$29.62/hr
Dallas, TX
$65,708
$31.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$61,594$65,708
Hourly Rate$29.62$31.59
Entry Level (P10)$43,290$56,943
25th Percentile$56,719$63,375
75th Percentile$78,271$72,706
Top Earner (P90)$95,471$77,088
Total Employed2027,350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($61,594) and Dallas ($65,708) elementary school teacher salaries.CarrolltonDallasMedian Salary$61,594$65,708Entry Level (P10)$43,290$56,943Top Earner (P90)$95,471$77,088US Median $64,597

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrollton.

The salary gap between Carrollton and Dallas is $4,114 (6.68%). Dallas's median is +1.72% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrollton spans $52,181,Dallas spans $20,145. Carrollton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$43,290
P25$56,719
Median$61,594
P75$78,271
P90 (Top)$95,471
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$56,943
P25$63,375
Median$65,708
P75$72,706
P90 (Top)$77,088

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carrollton ($64,160 effective) pays 0.66% more than Dallas ($63,738 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $61,594
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $64,160
Dallas
Nominal: $65,708
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $63,738

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrollton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,471)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,160)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,708/year)
  • Larger job market (27,350 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Carrollton grew -7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.2% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+-7.7%

$66,078 (2024) → $60,996 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+12.2%

$58,020 (2019) → $65,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Carrollton or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $65,708/year, compared to Carrollton at $61,594/year — a difference of $4,114 (6.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Dallas?

Carrollton elementary school teachers earn $29.62/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $31.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrollton to Dallas as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $64,160, Dallas = $63,738), job availability (20 vs 27,350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Carrollton vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $43,290 in Carrollton and $56,943 in Dallas. The Dallas 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