Teacher Salary

Corpus Christi vs Houston: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Corpus Christi, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corpus Christi, TX
$60,800
$29.23/hr
Houston, TX
$65,132
$31.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorpus Christi, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$60,800$65,132
Hourly Rate$29.23$31.31
Entry Level (P10)$52,994$46,845
25th Percentile$59,770$61,921
75th Percentile$61,477$68,030
Top Earner (P90)$66,415$75,159
Total Employed1,84030,980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corpus Christi ($60,800) and Houston ($65,132) elementary school teacher salaries.Corpus ChristiHoustonMedian Salary$60,800$65,132Entry Level (P10)$52,994$46,845Top Earner (P90)$66,415$75,159US Median $64,597

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Corpus Christi.

The salary gap between Corpus Christi and Houston is $4,332 (7.12%). Houston's median is +0.83% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corpus Christi spans $13,421,Houston spans $28,314. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$52,994
P25$59,770
Median$60,800
P75$61,477
P90 (Top)$66,415
Houston
P10 (Entry)$46,845
P25$61,921
Median$65,132
P75$68,030
P90 (Top)$75,159

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($66,037 effective) pays 0.65% more than Corpus Christi ($65,608 effective).

Corpus Christi
Nominal: $60,800
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $65,608
Houston
Nominal: $65,132
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $66,037

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,132/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,159)
  • Larger job market (30,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,037)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Corpus Christi grew -9.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Corpus Christi, TX

+-9.9%

$66,810 (2019) → $60,210 (2025)

Houston, TX

+10.4%

$58,410 (2019) → $64,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Corpus Christi or Houston?

Houston has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $65,132/year, compared to Corpus Christi at $60,800/year — a difference of $4,332 (7.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corpus Christi and Houston?

Corpus Christi elementary school teachers earn $29.23/hr while Houston hygienists earn $31.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corpus Christi to Houston as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corpus Christi and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corpus Christi = $65,608, Houston = $66,037), job availability (1,840 vs 30,980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Corpus Christi vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $52,994 in Corpus Christi and $46,845 in Houston. The Corpus Christi 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