Teacher Salary

Johnston vs Warwick: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Johnston, RI and Warwick, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Johnston, RI
$62,778
$30.18/hr
Warwick, RI
$89,346
$42.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJohnston, RIWarwick, RI
Median Salary$62,778$89,346
Hourly Rate$30.18$42.96
Entry Level (P10)$51,028$66,270
25th Percentile$57,483$79,672
75th Percentile$79,855$114,356
Top Earner (P90)$97,306$138,486
Total Employed816
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Johnston ($62,778) and Warwick ($89,346) elementary school teacher salaries.JohnstonWarwickMedian Salary$62,778$89,346Entry Level (P10)$51,028$66,270Top Earner (P90)$97,306$138,486US Median $64,597

Verdict

Warwick, RI offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Johnston.

The salary gap between Johnston and Warwick is $26,568 (42.32%). Warwick's median is +38.31% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Johnston spans $46,278,Warwick spans $72,216. Warwick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Johnston
P10 (Entry)$51,028
P25$57,483
Median$62,778
P75$79,855
P90 (Top)$97,306
Warwick
P10 (Entry)$66,270
P25$79,672
Median$89,346
P75$114,356
P90 (Top)$138,486

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Warwick ($88,901 effective) pays 42.32% more than Johnston ($62,466 effective).

Johnston
Nominal: $62,778
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $62,466
Warwick
Nominal: $89,346
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $88,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Johnston if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Warwick if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,346/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($138,486)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,901)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Johnston grew -18.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.7% growth in Warwick over the same period.

Johnston, RI

+-18.0%

$75,804 (2024) → $62,169 (2025)

Warwick, RI

+11.7%

$79,180 (2024) → $88,479 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Johnston or Warwick?

Warwick has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $89,346/year, compared to Johnston at $62,778/year — a difference of $26,568 (42.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Johnston and Warwick?

Johnston elementary school teachers earn $30.18/hr while Warwick hygienists earn $42.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Johnston to Warwick as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Johnston and Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Johnston = $62,466, Warwick = $88,901), job availability (8 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Johnston vs Warwick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $51,028 in Johnston and $66,270 in Warwick. The Warwick 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