Teacher Salary

Davenport vs Urbandale: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Davenport, IA
$62,254
$29.93/hr
Urbandale, IA
$59,374
$28.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAUrbandale, IA
Median Salary$62,254$59,374
Hourly Rate$29.93$28.55
Entry Level (P10)$47,471$47,031
25th Percentile$49,884$54,823
75th Percentile$78,381$74,643
Top Earner (P90)$80,622$92,030
Total Employed1,76012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($62,254) and Urbandale ($59,374) elementary school teacher salaries.DavenportUrbandaleMedian Salary$62,254$59,374Entry Level (P10)$47,471$47,031Top Earner (P90)$80,622$92,030US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davenport and Urbandale is $2,880 (4.85%). 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,Urbandale spans $44,999. Urbandale 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
Urbandale
P10 (Entry)$47,031
P25$54,823
Median$59,374
P75$74,643
P90 (Top)$92,030

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($69,886 effective) pays 6.41% more than Urbandale ($65,679 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $62,254
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $69,886
Urbandale
Nominal: $59,374
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $65,679

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 Urbandale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,030)
  • 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 Urbandale over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+5.0%

$58,730 (2019) → $61,650 (2025)

Urbandale, IA

+9.8%

$53,551 (2024) → $58,798 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Davenport has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,254/year, compared to Urbandale at $59,374/year — a difference of $2,880 (4.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Urbandale?

Davenport elementary school teachers earn $29.93/hr while Urbandale hygienists earn $28.55/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Urbandale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $69,886, Urbandale = $65,679), job availability (1,760 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,471 in Davenport and $47,031 in Urbandale. 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