Teacher Salary

Dallas vs Fort Worth: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Dallas, TX and Fort Worth, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$65,708
$31.59/hr
Fort Worth, TX
$65,280
$31.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXFort Worth, TX
Median Salary$65,708$65,280
Hourly Rate$31.59$31.38
Entry Level (P10)$56,943$48,676
25th Percentile$63,375$58,583
75th Percentile$72,706$83,558
Top Earner (P90)$77,088$101,183
Total Employed27,350219
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($65,708) and Fort Worth ($65,280) elementary school teacher salaries.DallasFort WorthMedian Salary$65,708$65,280Entry Level (P10)$56,943$48,676Top Earner (P90)$77,088$101,183US Median $64,597

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Worth.

The salary gap between Dallas and Fort Worth is $428 (0.66%). Dallas's median is +1.72% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $20,145,Fort Worth spans $52,507. Fort Worth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$56,943
P25$63,375
Median$65,708
P75$72,706
P90 (Top)$77,088
Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$48,676
P25$58,583
Median$65,280
P75$83,558
P90 (Top)$101,183

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($68,000 effective) pays 6.69% more than Dallas ($63,738 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $65,708
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $63,738
Fort Worth
Nominal: $65,280
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $68,000

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,708/year)
  • Larger job market (27,350 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,183)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,000)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Dallas grew 12.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.7% growth in Fort Worth over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+12.2%

$58,020 (2019) → $65,070 (2025)

Fort Worth, TX

+-7.7%

$70,043 (2024) → $64,646 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Dallas or Fort Worth?

Dallas has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $65,708/year, compared to Fort Worth at $65,280/year — a difference of $428 (0.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Fort Worth?

Dallas elementary school teachers earn $31.59/hr while Fort Worth hygienists earn $31.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Fort Worth as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Fort Worth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $63,738, Fort Worth = $68,000), job availability (27,350 vs 219 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Dallas vs Fort Worth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $56,943 in Dallas and $48,676 in Fort Worth. The Dallas 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