Teacher Salary

Denver vs Longmont: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Denver, CO and Longmont, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$77,664
$37.34/hr
Longmont, CO
$61,632
$29.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLongmont, CO
Median Salary$77,664$61,632
Hourly Rate$37.34$29.63
Entry Level (P10)$50,955$48,341
25th Percentile$61,820$56,740
75th Percentile$84,995$78,890
Top Earner (P90)$102,434$95,530
Total Employed12,03015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($77,664) and Longmont ($61,632) elementary school teacher salaries.DenverLongmontMedian Salary$77,664$61,632Entry Level (P10)$50,955$48,341Top Earner (P90)$102,434$95,530US Median $64,597

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Longmont.

The salary gap between Denver and Longmont is $16,032 (26.01%). Denver's median is +20.23% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $51,479,Longmont spans $47,189. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$50,955
P25$61,820
Median$77,664
P75$84,995
P90 (Top)$102,434
Longmont
P10 (Entry)$48,341
P25$56,740
Median$61,632
P75$78,890
P90 (Top)$95,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($73,419 effective) pays 25.08% more than Longmont ($58,697 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $77,664
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $73,419
Longmont
Nominal: $61,632
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $58,697

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,664/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,434)
  • Larger job market (12,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,419)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Longmont if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Denver grew 37.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.2% growth in Longmont over the same period.

Denver, CO

+37.1%

$56,080 (2019) → $76,910 (2025)

Longmont, CO

+-9.2%

$67,186 (2024) → $61,034 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Denver or Longmont?

Denver has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,664/year, compared to Longmont at $61,632/year — a difference of $16,032 (26.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Longmont?

Denver elementary school teachers earn $37.34/hr while Longmont hygienists earn $29.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Longmont as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Longmont. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $73,419, Longmont = $58,697), job availability (12,030 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Denver vs Longmont?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,955 in Denver and $48,341 in Longmont. The Denver 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