Teacher Salary

Denver vs Windsor: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$77,664
$37.34/hr
Windsor, CO
$61,791
$29.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COWindsor, CO
Median Salary$77,664$61,791
Hourly Rate$37.34$29.71
Entry Level (P10)$50,955$46,964
25th Percentile$61,820$55,735
75th Percentile$84,995$77,688
Top Earner (P90)$102,434$95,775
Total Employed12,0306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($77,664) and Windsor ($61,791) elementary school teacher salaries.DenverWindsorMedian Salary$77,664$61,791Entry Level (P10)$50,955$46,964Top Earner (P90)$102,434$95,775US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Windsor is $15,873 (25.69%). 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,Windsor spans $48,811. 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
Windsor
P10 (Entry)$46,964
P25$55,735
Median$61,791
P75$77,688
P90 (Top)$95,775

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($73,419 effective) pays 24.76% more than Windsor ($58,849 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $77,664
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $73,419
Windsor
Nominal: $61,791
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $58,849

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 Windsor 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 Windsor over the same period.

Denver, CO

+37.1%

$56,080 (2019) → $76,910 (2025)

Windsor, CO

+-9.2%

$67,360 (2024) → $61,191 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Denver has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,664/year, compared to Windsor at $61,791/year — a difference of $15,873 (25.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Windsor?

Denver elementary school teachers earn $37.34/hr while Windsor hygienists earn $29.71/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Windsor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $73,419, Windsor = $58,849), job availability (12,030 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,955 in Denver and $46,964 in Windsor. 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