Teacher Salary

La Vista vs Lincoln: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between La Vista, NE and Lincoln, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Vista, NE
$55,038
$26.46/hr
Lincoln, NE
$62,547
$30.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vista, NELincoln, NE
Median Salary$55,038$62,547
Hourly Rate$26.46$30.07
Entry Level (P10)$45,333$62,547
25th Percentile$52,006$62,547
75th Percentile$68,432$78,148
Top Earner (P90)$84,795$78,148
Total Employed61,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vista ($55,038) and Lincoln ($62,547) elementary school teacher salaries.La VistaLincolnMedian Salary$55,038$62,547Entry Level (P10)$45,333$62,547Top Earner (P90)$84,795$78,148US Median $64,597

Verdict

Lincoln, NE offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vista.

The salary gap between La Vista and Lincoln is $7,509 (13.64%). Lincoln's median is -3.17% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Vista spans $39,462,Lincoln spans $15,601. La Vista has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

La Vista
P10 (Entry)$45,333
P25$52,006
Median$55,038
P75$68,432
P90 (Top)$84,795
Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$62,547
P25$62,547
Median$62,547
P75$78,148
P90 (Top)$78,148

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lincoln ($68,297 effective) pays 13.54% more than La Vista ($60,151 effective).

La Vista
Nominal: $55,038
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $60,151
Lincoln
Nominal: $62,547
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $68,297

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Vista if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,795)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Lincoln if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,547/year)
  • Larger job market (1,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,297)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in La Vista grew 3.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.9% growth in Lincoln over the same period.

La Vista, NE

+3.2%

$52,825 (2024) → $54,504 (2025)

Lincoln, NE

+1.9%

$60,780 (2019) → $61,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: La Vista or Lincoln?

Lincoln has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,547/year, compared to La Vista at $55,038/year — a difference of $7,509 (13.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Vista and Lincoln?

La Vista elementary school teachers earn $26.46/hr while Lincoln hygienists earn $30.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Vista to Lincoln as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vista and Lincoln. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vista = $60,151, Lincoln = $68,297), job availability (6 vs 1,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in La Vista vs Lincoln?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $45,333 in La Vista and $62,547 in Lincoln. The Lincoln 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