Teacher Salary

Cleveland Heights vs Cleveland: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland Heights, OH
$73,276
$35.23/hr
Cleveland, OH
$77,219
$37.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland Heights, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$73,276$77,219
Hourly Rate$35.23$37.12
Entry Level (P10)$57,308$47,360
25th Percentile$67,059$60,548
75th Percentile$91,484$97,011
Top Earner (P90)$113,578$99,718
Total Employed95,460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland Heights ($73,276) and Cleveland ($77,219) elementary school teacher salaries.Cleveland HeightsClevelandMedian Salary$73,276$77,219Entry Level (P10)$57,308$47,360Top Earner (P90)$113,578$99,718US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland is $3,943 (5.38%). Cleveland's median is +19.54% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland Heights spans $56,270,Cleveland spans $52,358. Cleveland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland Heights
P10 (Entry)$57,308
P25$67,059
Median$73,276
P75$91,484
P90 (Top)$113,578
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$47,360
P25$60,548
Median$77,219
P75$97,011
P90 (Top)$99,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($82,215 effective) pays 1.76% more than Cleveland Heights ($80,789 effective).

Cleveland Heights
Nominal: $73,276
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $80,789
Cleveland
Nominal: $77,219
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $82,215

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland Heights if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,578)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,219/year)
  • Larger job market (5,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,215)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Cleveland Heights grew 24.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.5% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Cleveland Heights, OH

+24.0%

$58,526 (2024) → $72,565 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+6.5%

$71,830 (2019) → $76,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Cleveland Heights or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,219/year, compared to Cleveland Heights at $73,276/year — a difference of $3,943 (5.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland Heights and Cleveland?

Cleveland Heights elementary school teachers earn $35.23/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $37.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland Heights to Cleveland as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland Heights and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland Heights = $80,789, Cleveland = $82,215), job availability (9 vs 5,460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Cleveland Heights vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $57,308 in Cleveland Heights and $47,360 in Cleveland. The Cleveland Heights 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