Teacher Salary

Little Rock vs Searcy: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Little Rock, AR and Searcy, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Little Rock, AR
$59,154
$28.44/hr
Searcy, AR
$55,502
$26.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARSearcy, AR
Median Salary$59,154$55,502
Hourly Rate$28.44$26.68
Entry Level (P10)$49,864$43,334
25th Percentile$52,126$50,536
75th Percentile$62,295$67,215
Top Earner (P90)$72,918$82,613
Total Employed3,2105
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($59,154) and Searcy ($55,502) elementary school teacher salaries.Little RockSearcyMedian Salary$59,154$55,502Entry Level (P10)$49,864$43,334Top Earner (P90)$72,918$82,613US Median $64,597

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Searcy.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Searcy is $3,652 (6.58%). Little Rock's median is -8.43% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $23,054,Searcy spans $39,279. Searcy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$49,864
P25$52,126
Median$59,154
P75$62,295
P90 (Top)$72,918
Searcy
P10 (Entry)$43,334
P25$50,536
Median$55,502
P75$67,215
P90 (Top)$82,613

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($66,194 effective) pays 3.64% more than Searcy ($63,869 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $59,154
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $66,194
Searcy
Nominal: $55,502
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $63,869

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,154/year)
  • Larger job market (3,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,194)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Searcy if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,613)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Little Rock grew 14.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.8% growth in Searcy over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+14.6%

$51,130 (2019) → $58,580 (2025)

Searcy, AR

+27.8%

$43,022 (2024) → $54,963 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Little Rock or Searcy?

Little Rock has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $59,154/year, compared to Searcy at $55,502/year — a difference of $3,652 (6.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Little Rock and Searcy?

Little Rock elementary school teachers earn $28.44/hr while Searcy hygienists earn $26.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Little Rock to Searcy as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Searcy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $66,194, Searcy = $63,869), job availability (3,210 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Little Rock vs Searcy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,864 in Little Rock and $43,334 in Searcy. The Little Rock 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