Teacher Salary

Lansing vs Monroe: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Lansing, MI and Monroe, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$73,645
$35.40/hr
Monroe, MI
$63,648
$30.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIMonroe, MI
Median Salary$73,645$63,648
Hourly Rate$35.40$30.60
Entry Level (P10)$47,844$47,471
25th Percentile$50,955$50,874
75th Percentile$78,855$77,129
Top Earner (P90)$86,984$92,356
Total Employed1,730560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($73,645) and Monroe ($63,648) elementary school teacher salaries.LansingMonroeMedian Salary$73,645$63,648Entry Level (P10)$47,844$47,471Top Earner (P90)$86,984$92,356US Median $64,597

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Monroe.

The salary gap between Lansing and Monroe is $9,997 (15.71%). Lansing's median is +14.01% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $39,140,Monroe spans $44,885. Monroe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$47,844
P25$50,955
Median$73,645
P75$78,855
P90 (Top)$86,984
Monroe
P10 (Entry)$47,471
P25$50,874
Median$63,648
P75$77,129
P90 (Top)$92,356

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($77,528 effective) pays 13.88% more than Monroe ($68,079 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $73,645
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $77,528
Monroe
Nominal: $63,648
CoL Index: 93.492
Adjusted: $68,079

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,645/year)
  • Larger job market (1,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,528)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Monroe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,356)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Lansing grew 30.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.1% growth in Monroe over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+30.1%

$56,040 (2019) → $72,930 (2025)

Monroe, MI

+0.1%

$62,970 (2019) → $63,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Lansing or Monroe?

Lansing has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $73,645/year, compared to Monroe at $63,648/year — a difference of $9,997 (15.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Monroe?

Lansing elementary school teachers earn $35.40/hr while Monroe hygienists earn $30.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Monroe as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Monroe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $77,528, Monroe = $68,079), job availability (1,730 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Lansing vs Monroe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,844 in Lansing and $47,471 in Monroe. The Lansing 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