Teacher Salary

Medford vs Springfield: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Medford, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Medford, MA
$81,178
$39.03/hr
Springfield, MA
$80,420
$38.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMedford, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$81,178$80,420
Hourly Rate$39.03$38.67
Entry Level (P10)$64,077$58,811
25th Percentile$75,100$62,214
75th Percentile$101,805$85,570
Top Earner (P90)$125,826$97,304
Total Employed112,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Medford ($81,178) and Springfield ($80,420) elementary school teacher salaries.MedfordSpringfieldMedian Salary$81,178$80,420Entry Level (P10)$64,077$58,811Top Earner (P90)$125,826$97,304US Median $64,597

Verdict

Medford, MA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Medford and Springfield is $758 (0.94%). Medford's median is +25.67% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Medford spans $61,749,Springfield spans $38,493. Medford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Medford
P10 (Entry)$64,077
P25$75,100
Median$81,178
P75$101,805
P90 (Top)$125,826
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$58,811
P25$62,214
Median$80,420
P75$85,570
P90 (Top)$97,304

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($83,718 effective) pays 11.89% more than Medford ($74,818 effective).

Medford
Nominal: $81,178
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $74,818
Springfield
Nominal: $80,420
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $83,718

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Medford if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,178/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,826)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (2,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,718)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Medford grew -14.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.3% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Medford, MA

+-14.8%

$94,347 (2024) → $80,390 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+13.3%

$70,280 (2019) → $79,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Medford or Springfield?

Medford has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $81,178/year, compared to Springfield at $80,420/year — a difference of $758 (0.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Medford and Springfield?

Medford elementary school teachers earn $39.03/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $38.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Medford to Springfield as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Medford and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Medford = $74,818, Springfield = $83,718), job availability (11 vs 2,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Medford vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $64,077 in Medford and $58,811 in Springfield. The Medford 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