Teacher Salary

Columbus vs Solon: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$78,916
$37.94/hr
Solon, OH
$70,969
$34.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$78,916$70,969
Hourly Rate$37.94$34.12
Entry Level (P10)$49,238$57,207
25th Percentile$61,598$65,927
75th Percentile$101,293$88,788
Top Earner (P90)$103,050$109,882
Total Employed9,9506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($78,916) and Solon ($70,969) elementary school teacher salaries.ColumbusSolonMedian Salary$78,916$70,969Entry Level (P10)$49,238$57,207Top Earner (P90)$103,050$109,882US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Solon is $7,947 (11.20%). Columbus's median is +22.17% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $53,812,Solon spans $52,675. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$49,238
P25$61,598
Median$78,916
P75$101,293
P90 (Top)$103,050
Solon
P10 (Entry)$57,207
P25$65,927
Median$70,969
P75$88,788
P90 (Top)$109,882

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($82,661 effective) pays 5.64% more than Solon ($78,246 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $78,916
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $82,661
Solon
Nominal: $70,969
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $78,246

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,916/year)
  • Larger job market (9,950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,661)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Solon if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,882)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Columbus grew 16.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.0% growth in Solon over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+16.7%

$66,950 (2019) → $78,150 (2025)

Solon, OH

+24.0%

$56,684 (2024) → $70,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Columbus or Solon?

Columbus has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $78,916/year, compared to Solon at $70,969/year — a difference of $7,947 (11.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Solon?

Columbus elementary school teachers earn $37.94/hr while Solon hygienists earn $34.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Solon as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $82,661, Solon = $78,246), job availability (9,950 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Columbus vs Solon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,238 in Columbus and $57,207 in Solon. The Solon 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