Teacher Salary

Hattiesburg vs Horn Lake: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Hattiesburg, MS and Horn Lake, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hattiesburg, MS
$48,117
$23.13/hr
Horn Lake, MS
$54,233
$26.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSHorn Lake, MS
Median Salary$48,117$54,233
Hourly Rate$23.13$26.07
Entry Level (P10)$46,794$40,719
25th Percentile$47,925$48,432
75th Percentile$58,245$66,576
Top Earner (P90)$60,416$84,062
Total Employed4506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($48,117) and Horn Lake ($54,233) elementary school teacher salaries.HattiesburgHorn LakeMedian Salary$48,117$54,233Entry Level (P10)$46,794$40,719Top Earner (P90)$60,416$84,062US Median $64,597

Verdict

Horn Lake, MS offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hattiesburg.

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Horn Lake is $6,116 (12.71%). Horn Lake's median is -16.04% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $13,622,Horn Lake spans $43,343. Horn Lake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$46,794
P25$47,925
Median$48,117
P75$58,245
P90 (Top)$60,416
Horn Lake
P10 (Entry)$40,719
P25$48,432
Median$54,233
P75$66,576
P90 (Top)$84,062

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Horn Lake ($63,282 effective) pays 15.25% more than Hattiesburg ($54,907 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $48,117
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $54,907
Horn Lake
Nominal: $54,233
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $63,282

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Horn Lake if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,233/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,062)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,282)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Hattiesburg grew 8.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.3% growth in Horn Lake over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+8.0%

$44,110 (2019) → $47,650 (2025)

Horn Lake, MS

+33.3%

$40,299 (2024) → $53,707 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Hattiesburg or Horn Lake?

Horn Lake has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $54,233/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $48,117/year — a difference of $6,116 (12.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Horn Lake?

Hattiesburg elementary school teachers earn $23.13/hr while Horn Lake hygienists earn $26.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Horn Lake as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Horn Lake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $54,907, Horn Lake = $63,282), job availability (450 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Hattiesburg vs Horn Lake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $46,794 in Hattiesburg and $40,719 in Horn Lake. The Hattiesburg 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