Teacher Salary

Columbus vs Warren: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$78,916
$37.94/hr
Warren, OH
$73,450
$35.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHWarren, OH
Median Salary$78,916$73,450
Hourly Rate$37.94$35.31
Entry Level (P10)$49,238$54,313
25th Percentile$61,598$69,380
75th Percentile$101,293$91,152
Top Earner (P90)$103,050$113,847
Total Employed9,9509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($78,916) and Warren ($73,450) elementary school teacher salaries.ColumbusWarrenMedian Salary$78,916$73,450Entry Level (P10)$49,238$54,313Top Earner (P90)$103,050$113,847US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Warren is $5,466 (7.44%). 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,Warren spans $59,534. Warren has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$49,238
P25$61,598
Median$78,916
P75$101,293
P90 (Top)$103,050
Warren
P10 (Entry)$54,313
P25$69,380
Median$73,450
P75$91,152
P90 (Top)$113,847

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($82,661 effective) pays 2.07% more than Warren ($80,981 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $78,916
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $82,661
Warren
Nominal: $73,450
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $80,981

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 Warren if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,847)
  • 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 21.3% growth in Warren over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+16.7%

$66,950 (2019) → $78,150 (2025)

Warren, OH

+21.3%

$59,972 (2024) → $72,737 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Columbus has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $78,916/year, compared to Warren at $73,450/year — a difference of $5,466 (7.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Warren?

Columbus elementary school teachers earn $37.94/hr while Warren hygienists earn $35.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Warren. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $82,661, Warren = $80,981), job availability (9,950 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,238 in Columbus and $54,313 in Warren. The Warren 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