Teacher Salary

Cleveland vs Marion: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$77,219
$37.12/hr
Marion, OH
$73,558
$35.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHMarion, OH
Median Salary$77,219$73,558
Hourly Rate$37.12$35.36
Entry Level (P10)$47,360$57,907
25th Percentile$60,548$67,654
75th Percentile$97,011$92,190
Top Earner (P90)$99,718$114,014
Total Employed5,4607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($77,219) and Marion ($73,558) elementary school teacher salaries.ClevelandMarionMedian Salary$77,219$73,558Entry Level (P10)$47,360$57,907Top Earner (P90)$99,718$114,014US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Marion is $3,661 (4.98%). 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 spans $52,358,Marion spans $56,107. Marion has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$47,360
P25$60,548
Median$77,219
P75$97,011
P90 (Top)$99,718
Marion
P10 (Entry)$57,907
P25$67,654
Median$73,558
P75$92,190
P90 (Top)$114,014

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($82,215 effective) pays 1.37% more than Marion ($81,100 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $77,219
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $82,215
Marion
Nominal: $73,558
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $81,100

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Marion if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,014)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Cleveland grew 6.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Marion over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+6.5%

$71,830 (2019) → $76,470 (2025)

Marion, OH

+24.0%

$58,751 (2024) → $72,844 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,219/year, compared to Marion at $73,558/year — a difference of $3,661 (4.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Marion?

Cleveland elementary school teachers earn $37.12/hr while Marion hygienists earn $35.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $82,215, Marion = $81,100), job availability (5,460 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,360 in Cleveland and $57,907 in Marion. The Marion 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