Teacher Salary

Fort Wayne vs Jeffersonville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Jeffersonville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$60,386
$29.03/hr
Jeffersonville, IN
$57,868
$27.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INJeffersonville, IN
Median Salary$60,386$57,868
Hourly Rate$29.03$27.82
Entry Level (P10)$47,774$46,685
25th Percentile$49,733$54,013
75th Percentile$73,776$71,097
Top Earner (P90)$80,219$89,694
Total Employed1,98011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($60,386) and Jeffersonville ($57,868) elementary school teacher salaries.Fort WayneJeffersonvilleMedian Salary$60,386$57,868Entry Level (P10)$47,774$46,685Top Earner (P90)$80,219$89,694US Median $64,597

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersonville.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville is $2,518 (4.35%). Fort Wayne's median is -6.52% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $32,445,Jeffersonville spans $43,009. Jeffersonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$47,774
P25$49,733
Median$60,386
P75$73,776
P90 (Top)$80,219
Jeffersonville
P10 (Entry)$46,685
P25$54,013
Median$57,868
P75$71,097
P90 (Top)$89,694

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($65,231 effective) pays 2.92% more than Jeffersonville ($63,382 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $60,386
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $65,231
Jeffersonville
Nominal: $57,868
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $63,382

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,386/year)
  • Larger job market (1,980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,231)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,694)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Fort Wayne grew 19.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.3% growth in Jeffersonville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+19.8%

$49,910 (2019) → $59,800 (2025)

Jeffersonville, IN

+12.3%

$51,018 (2024) → $57,306 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Fort Wayne or Jeffersonville?

Fort Wayne has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,386/year, compared to Jeffersonville at $57,868/year — a difference of $2,518 (4.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville?

Fort Wayne elementary school teachers earn $29.03/hr while Jeffersonville hygienists earn $27.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Jeffersonville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $65,231, Jeffersonville = $63,382), job availability (1,980 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Fort Wayne vs Jeffersonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,774 in Fort Wayne and $46,685 in Jeffersonville. The Fort Wayne 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