Teacher Salary

East Providence vs Pawtucket: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between East Providence, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Providence, RI
$64,351
$30.94/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$64,849
$31.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Providence, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$64,351$64,849
Hourly Rate$30.94$31.18
Entry Level (P10)$49,580$47,196
25th Percentile$58,389$56,950
75th Percentile$81,265$82,125
Top Earner (P90)$99,743$100,517
Total Employed1016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Providence ($64,351) and Pawtucket ($64,849) elementary school teacher salaries.East ProvidencePawtucketMedian Salary$64,351$64,849Entry Level (P10)$49,580$47,196Top Earner (P90)$99,743$100,517US Median $64,597

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to East Providence.

The salary gap between East Providence and Pawtucket is $498 (0.77%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Providence spans $50,163,Pawtucket spans $53,321. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

East Providence
P10 (Entry)$49,580
P25$58,389
Median$64,351
P75$81,265
P90 (Top)$99,743
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$47,196
P25$56,950
Median$64,849
P75$82,125
P90 (Top)$100,517

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($64,526 effective) pays 0.77% more than East Providence ($64,031 effective).

East Providence
Nominal: $64,351
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $64,031
Pawtucket
Nominal: $64,849
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $64,526

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Providence if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,849/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,517)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,526)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in East Providence grew -18.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -18.0% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

East Providence, RI

+-18.0%

$77,702 (2024) → $63,726 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+-18.0%

$78,305 (2024) → $64,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: East Providence or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $64,849/year, compared to East Providence at $64,351/year — a difference of $498 (0.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Providence and Pawtucket?

East Providence elementary school teachers earn $30.94/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $31.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Providence to Pawtucket as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Providence and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Providence = $64,031, Pawtucket = $64,526), job availability (10 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in East Providence vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,580 in East Providence and $47,196 in Pawtucket. The East Providence 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