Teacher Salary

Muskogee vs Tulsa: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Muskogee, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Muskogee, OK
$55,924
$26.89/hr
Tulsa, OK
$48,693
$23.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMuskogee, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$55,924$48,693
Hourly Rate$26.89$23.41
Entry Level (P10)$41,494$47,127
25th Percentile$49,522$47,350
75th Percentile$71,583$59,639
Top Earner (P90)$86,682$61,275
Total Employed64,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Muskogee ($55,924) and Tulsa ($48,693) elementary school teacher salaries.MuskogeeTulsaMedian Salary$55,924$48,693Entry Level (P10)$41,494$47,127Top Earner (P90)$86,682$61,275US Median $64,597

Verdict

Muskogee, OK offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tulsa.

The salary gap between Muskogee and Tulsa is $7,231 (14.85%). Muskogee's median is -13.43% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Muskogee spans $45,188,Tulsa spans $14,148. Muskogee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Muskogee
P10 (Entry)$41,494
P25$49,522
Median$55,924
P75$71,583
P90 (Top)$86,682
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$47,127
P25$47,350
Median$48,693
P75$59,639
P90 (Top)$61,275

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Muskogee ($62,907 effective) pays 15.26% more than Tulsa ($54,580 effective).

Muskogee
Nominal: $55,924
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $62,907
Tulsa
Nominal: $48,693
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $54,580

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Muskogee if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,924/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,682)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,907)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Larger job market (4,030 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Muskogee grew 23.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.5% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Muskogee, OK

+23.0%

$45,019 (2024) → $55,381 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+-1.5%

$48,960 (2019) → $48,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Muskogee or Tulsa?

Muskogee has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $55,924/year, compared to Tulsa at $48,693/year — a difference of $7,231 (14.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Muskogee and Tulsa?

Muskogee elementary school teachers earn $26.89/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $23.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Muskogee to Tulsa as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Muskogee and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Muskogee = $62,907, Tulsa = $54,580), job availability (6 vs 4,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Muskogee vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $41,494 in Muskogee and $47,127 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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