Teacher Salary

Durant vs Tulsa: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Durant, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durant, OK
$53,763
$25.85/hr
Tulsa, OK
$48,693
$23.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurant, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$53,763$48,693
Hourly Rate$25.85$23.41
Entry Level (P10)$45,007$47,127
25th Percentile$51,156$47,350
75th Percentile$65,274$59,639
Top Earner (P90)$83,243$61,275
Total Employed54,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durant ($53,763) and Tulsa ($48,693) elementary school teacher salaries.DurantTulsaMedian Salary$53,763$48,693Entry Level (P10)$45,007$47,127Top Earner (P90)$83,243$61,275US Median $64,597

Verdict

Durant, OK offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tulsa.

The salary gap between Durant and Tulsa is $5,070 (10.41%). Durant's median is -16.77% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durant spans $38,236,Tulsa spans $14,148. Durant has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Durant
P10 (Entry)$45,007
P25$51,156
Median$53,763
P75$65,274
P90 (Top)$83,243
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$47,127
P25$47,350
Median$48,693
P75$59,639
P90 (Top)$61,275

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Durant ($60,476 effective) pays 10.80% more than Tulsa ($54,580 effective).

Durant
Nominal: $53,763
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $60,476
Tulsa
Nominal: $48,693
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $54,580

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durant if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,763/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,243)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,476)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Larger job market (4,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Durant grew 23.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.5% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Durant, OK

+23.0%

$43,279 (2024) → $53,241 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+-1.5%

$48,960 (2019) → $48,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Durant or Tulsa?

Durant has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $53,763/year, compared to Tulsa at $48,693/year — a difference of $5,070 (10.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durant and Tulsa?

Durant elementary school teachers earn $25.85/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $23.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durant to Tulsa as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durant and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durant = $60,476, Tulsa = $54,580), job availability (5 vs 4,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Durant vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $45,007 in Durant and $47,127 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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