Teacher Salary

Eugene vs Tualatin: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Eugene, OR and Tualatin, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$64,890
$31.19/hr
Tualatin, OR
$72,310
$34.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORTualatin, OR
Median Salary$64,890$72,310
Hourly Rate$31.19$34.77
Entry Level (P10)$48,440$57,926
25th Percentile$59,790$67,247
75th Percentile$83,733$88,656
Top Earner (P90)$94,436$112,080
Total Employed1,0905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($64,890) and Tualatin ($72,310) elementary school teacher salaries.EugeneTualatinMedian Salary$64,890$72,310Entry Level (P10)$48,440$57,926Top Earner (P90)$94,436$112,080US Median $64,597

Verdict

Tualatin, OR offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eugene.

The salary gap between Eugene and Tualatin is $7,420 (11.43%). Tualatin's median is +11.94% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $45,996,Tualatin spans $54,154. Tualatin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$48,440
P25$59,790
Median$64,890
P75$83,733
P90 (Top)$94,436
Tualatin
P10 (Entry)$57,926
P25$67,247
Median$72,310
P75$88,656
P90 (Top)$112,080

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tualatin ($70,478 effective) pays 10.31% more than Eugene ($63,888 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $64,890
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $63,888
Tualatin
Nominal: $72,310
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $70,478

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Larger job market (1,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Tualatin if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,310/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,080)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,478)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Eugene grew -2.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.9% growth in Tualatin over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+-2.6%

$66,000 (2019) → $64,260 (2025)

Tualatin, OR

+-6.9%

$76,885 (2024) → $71,608 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Eugene or Tualatin?

Tualatin has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $72,310/year, compared to Eugene at $64,890/year — a difference of $7,420 (11.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Tualatin?

Eugene elementary school teachers earn $31.19/hr while Tualatin hygienists earn $34.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Tualatin as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Tualatin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $63,888, Tualatin = $70,478), job availability (1,090 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Eugene vs Tualatin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,440 in Eugene and $57,926 in Tualatin. The Tualatin 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