Teacher Salary

Duluth vs Maplewood: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Duluth, MN and Maplewood, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$66,485
$31.96/hr
Maplewood, MN
$71,211
$34.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNMaplewood, MN
Median Salary$66,485$71,211
Hourly Rate$31.96$34.23
Entry Level (P10)$46,976$57,431
25th Percentile$55,822$66,509
75th Percentile$80,340$90,259
Top Earner (P90)$92,841$110,377
Total Employed1,10010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($66,485) and Maplewood ($71,211) elementary school teacher salaries.DuluthMaplewoodMedian Salary$66,485$71,211Entry Level (P10)$46,976$57,431Top Earner (P90)$92,841$110,377US Median $64,597

Verdict

Maplewood, MN offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Maplewood is $4,726 (7.11%). Maplewood's median is +10.24% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $45,865,Maplewood spans $52,946. Maplewood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$46,976
P25$55,822
Median$66,485
P75$80,340
P90 (Top)$92,841
Maplewood
P10 (Entry)$57,431
P25$66,509
Median$71,211
P75$90,259
P90 (Top)$110,377

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($74,897 effective) pays 3.60% more than Maplewood ($72,295 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $66,485
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $74,897
Maplewood
Nominal: $71,211
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,295

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (1,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,897)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Maplewood if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,211/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,377)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Duluth grew -4.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.2% growth in Maplewood over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+-4.6%

$69,000 (2019) → $65,840 (2025)

Maplewood, MN

+3.2%

$68,360 (2024) → $70,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Duluth or Maplewood?

Maplewood has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $71,211/year, compared to Duluth at $66,485/year — a difference of $4,726 (7.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Maplewood?

Duluth elementary school teachers earn $31.96/hr while Maplewood hygienists earn $34.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Maplewood as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Maplewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $74,897, Maplewood = $72,295), job availability (1,100 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Duluth vs Maplewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $46,976 in Duluth and $57,431 in Maplewood. The Maplewood 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