Teacher Salary

Miami vs Cape Coral: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Miami, FL and Cape Coral, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Miami, FL
$58,871
$28.30/hr
Cape Coral, FL
$61,063
$29.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLCape Coral, FL
Median Salary$58,871$61,063
Hourly Rate$28.30$29.35
Entry Level (P10)$50,389$50,924
25th Percentile$53,812$53,095
75th Percentile$61,022$61,063
Top Earner (P90)$77,240$70,363
Total Employed19,9102,230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($58,871) and Cape Coral ($61,063) elementary school teacher salaries.MiamiCape CoralMedian Salary$58,871$61,063Entry Level (P10)$50,389$50,924Top Earner (P90)$77,240$70,363US Median $64,597

Verdict

Miami and Cape Coral are closely matched on overall elementary school teacher compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Miami and Cape Coral is $2,192 (3.72%). Cape Coral's median is -5.47% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $26,851,Cape Coral spans $19,439. Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$50,389
P25$53,812
Median$58,871
P75$61,022
P90 (Top)$77,240
Cape Coral
P10 (Entry)$50,924
P25$53,095
Median$61,063
P75$61,063
P90 (Top)$70,363

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cape Coral ($59,662 effective) pays 15.69% more than Miami ($51,571 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $58,871
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $51,571
Cape Coral
Nominal: $61,063
CoL Index: 102.349
Adjusted: $59,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($77,240)
  • Larger job market (19,910 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Cape Coral if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,063/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,662)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Miami grew 19.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.4% growth in Cape Coral over the same period.

Miami, FL

+19.5%

$48,790 (2019) → $58,300 (2025)

Cape Coral, FL

+-7.4%

$65,300 (2019) → $60,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Miami or Cape Coral?

Cape Coral has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,063/year, compared to Miami at $58,871/year — a difference of $2,192 (3.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Cape Coral?

Miami elementary school teachers earn $28.30/hr while Cape Coral hygienists earn $29.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Cape Coral as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Cape Coral. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $51,571, Cape Coral = $59,662), job availability (19,910 vs 2,230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Miami vs Cape Coral?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,389 in Miami and $50,924 in Cape Coral. The Cape Coral 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