Teacher Salary

Forney vs Houston: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Forney, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Forney, TX
$59,669
$28.69/hr
Houston, TX
$65,132
$31.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricForney, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$59,669$65,132
Hourly Rate$28.69$31.31
Entry Level (P10)$44,957$46,845
25th Percentile$53,345$61,921
75th Percentile$74,558$68,030
Top Earner (P90)$92,488$75,159
Total Employed630,980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Forney ($59,669) and Houston ($65,132) elementary school teacher salaries.ForneyHoustonMedian Salary$59,669$65,132Entry Level (P10)$44,957$46,845Top Earner (P90)$92,488$75,159US Median $64,597

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Forney.

The salary gap between Forney and Houston is $5,463 (9.16%). Houston's median is +0.83% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Forney spans $47,531,Houston spans $28,314. Forney has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Forney
P10 (Entry)$44,957
P25$53,345
Median$59,669
P75$74,558
P90 (Top)$92,488
Houston
P10 (Entry)$46,845
P25$61,921
Median$65,132
P75$68,030
P90 (Top)$75,159

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($66,037 effective) pays 6.25% more than Forney ($62,155 effective).

Forney
Nominal: $59,669
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $62,155
Houston
Nominal: $65,132
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $66,037

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Forney if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,488)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,132/year)
  • Larger job market (30,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,037)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Forney grew -7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Forney, TX

+-7.7%

$64,013 (2024) → $59,090 (2025)

Houston, TX

+10.4%

$58,410 (2019) → $64,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Forney or Houston?

Houston has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $65,132/year, compared to Forney at $59,669/year — a difference of $5,463 (9.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Forney and Houston?

Forney elementary school teachers earn $28.69/hr while Houston hygienists earn $31.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Forney to Houston as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Forney and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Forney = $62,155, Houston = $66,037), job availability (6 vs 30,980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Forney vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,957 in Forney and $46,845 in Houston. The Houston 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