Teacher Salary

Davenport vs Marshalltown: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Davenport, IA and Marshalltown, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$62,254
$29.93/hr
Marshalltown, IA
$59,186
$28.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarshalltown, IA
Median Salary$62,254$59,186
Hourly Rate$29.93$28.46
Entry Level (P10)$47,471$46,641
25th Percentile$49,884$53,109
75th Percentile$78,381$74,234
Top Earner (P90)$80,622$91,739
Total Employed1,7608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($62,254) and Marshalltown ($59,186) elementary school teacher salaries.DavenportMarshalltownMedian Salary$62,254$59,186Entry Level (P10)$47,471$46,641Top Earner (P90)$80,622$91,739US Median $64,597

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marshalltown.

The salary gap between Davenport and Marshalltown is $3,068 (5.18%). Davenport's median is -3.63% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $33,151,Marshalltown spans $45,098. Marshalltown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$47,471
P25$49,884
Median$62,254
P75$78,381
P90 (Top)$80,622
Marshalltown
P10 (Entry)$46,641
P25$53,109
Median$59,186
P75$74,234
P90 (Top)$91,739

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($69,886 effective) pays 6.74% more than Marshalltown ($65,471 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $62,254
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $69,886
Marshalltown
Nominal: $59,186
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $65,471

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,254/year)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,886)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marshalltown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,739)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Davenport grew 5.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.8% growth in Marshalltown over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+5.0%

$58,730 (2019) → $61,650 (2025)

Marshalltown, IA

+9.8%

$53,381 (2024) → $58,612 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Davenport or Marshalltown?

Davenport has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,254/year, compared to Marshalltown at $59,186/year — a difference of $3,068 (5.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marshalltown?

Davenport elementary school teachers earn $29.93/hr while Marshalltown hygienists earn $28.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marshalltown as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marshalltown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $69,886, Marshalltown = $65,471), job availability (1,760 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Davenport vs Marshalltown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,471 in Davenport and $46,641 in Marshalltown. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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