Teacher Salary

Fairmont vs Huntington: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Fairmont, WV and Huntington, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fairmont, WV
$53,581
$25.76/hr
Huntington, WV
$58,013
$27.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFairmont, WVHuntington, WV
Median Salary$53,581$58,013
Hourly Rate$25.76$27.89
Entry Level (P10)$44,308$45,178
25th Percentile$50,586$49,167
75th Percentile$66,580$62,416
Top Earner (P90)$82,486$75,351
Total Employed41,350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fairmont ($53,581) and Huntington ($58,013) elementary school teacher salaries.FairmontHuntingtonMedian Salary$53,581$58,013Entry Level (P10)$44,308$45,178Top Earner (P90)$82,486$75,351US Median $64,597

Verdict

Huntington, WV offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairmont.

The salary gap between Fairmont and Huntington is $4,432 (8.27%). Huntington's median is -10.19% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fairmont spans $38,178,Huntington spans $30,173. Fairmont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fairmont
P10 (Entry)$44,308
P25$50,586
Median$53,581
P75$66,580
P90 (Top)$82,486
Huntington
P10 (Entry)$45,178
P25$49,167
Median$58,013
P75$62,416
P90 (Top)$75,351

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntington ($65,609 effective) pays 5.92% more than Fairmont ($61,943 effective).

Fairmont
Nominal: $53,581
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $61,943
Huntington
Nominal: $58,013
CoL Index: 88.422
Adjusted: $65,609

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fairmont if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,486)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Huntington if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,013/year)
  • Larger job market (1,350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,609)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Fairmont grew 26.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.6% growth in Huntington over the same period.

Fairmont, WV

+26.8%

$41,857 (2024) → $53,061 (2025)

Huntington, WV

+6.6%

$53,910 (2019) → $57,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Fairmont or Huntington?

Huntington has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $58,013/year, compared to Fairmont at $53,581/year — a difference of $4,432 (8.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fairmont and Huntington?

Fairmont elementary school teachers earn $25.76/hr while Huntington hygienists earn $27.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fairmont to Huntington as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fairmont and Huntington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fairmont = $61,943, Huntington = $65,609), job availability (4 vs 1,350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Fairmont vs Huntington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,308 in Fairmont and $45,178 in Huntington. The Huntington 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