Teacher Salary

Cincinnati vs Mentor: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Mentor, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$65,374
$31.44/hr
Mentor, OH
$74,085
$35.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHMentor, OH
Median Salary$65,374$74,085
Hourly Rate$31.44$35.62
Entry Level (P10)$48,258$59,182
25th Percentile$50,763$68,774
75th Percentile$82,077$90,714
Top Earner (P90)$99,920$114,831
Total Employed9,1509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($65,374) and Mentor ($74,085) elementary school teacher salaries.CincinnatiMentorMedian Salary$65,374$74,085Entry Level (P10)$48,258$59,182Top Earner (P90)$99,920$114,831US Median $64,597

Verdict

Mentor, OH offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cincinnati.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Mentor is $8,711 (13.32%). Mentor's median is +14.69% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $51,662,Mentor spans $55,649. Mentor has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$48,258
P25$50,763
Median$65,374
P75$82,077
P90 (Top)$99,920
Mentor
P10 (Entry)$59,182
P25$68,774
Median$74,085
P75$90,714
P90 (Top)$114,831

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mentor ($81,681 effective) pays 19.16% more than Cincinnati ($68,548 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $65,374
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $68,548
Mentor
Nominal: $74,085
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $81,681

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Larger job market (9,150 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Mentor if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,085/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,831)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,681)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Cincinnati grew 2.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Mentor over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+2.6%

$63,080 (2019) → $64,740 (2025)

Mentor, OH

+24.0%

$59,172 (2024) → $73,366 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Cincinnati or Mentor?

Mentor has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $74,085/year, compared to Cincinnati at $65,374/year — a difference of $8,711 (13.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Mentor?

Cincinnati elementary school teachers earn $31.44/hr while Mentor hygienists earn $35.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Mentor as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Mentor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $68,548, Mentor = $81,681), job availability (9,150 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Cincinnati vs Mentor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,258 in Cincinnati and $59,182 in Mentor. The Mentor 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