Teacher Salary

New Haven vs Stamford: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between New Haven, CT and Stamford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$80,602
$38.76/hr
Stamford, CT
$98,232
$47.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$80,602$98,232
Hourly Rate$38.76$47.23
Entry Level (P10)$50,116$74,244
25th Percentile$62,426$88,638
75th Percentile$101,354$125,737
Top Earner (P90)$103,797$152,260
Total Employed2,73027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($80,602) and Stamford ($98,232) elementary school teacher salaries.New HavenStamfordMedian Salary$80,602$98,232Entry Level (P10)$50,116$74,244Top Earner (P90)$103,797$152,260US Median $64,597

Verdict

Stamford, CT offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Haven.

The salary gap between New Haven and Stamford is $17,630 (21.87%). Stamford's median is +52.07% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $53,681,Stamford spans $78,016. Stamford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$50,116
P25$62,426
Median$80,602
P75$101,354
P90 (Top)$103,797
Stamford
P10 (Entry)$74,244
P25$88,638
Median$98,232
P75$125,737
P90 (Top)$152,260

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Stamford ($91,040 effective) pays 18.10% more than New Haven ($77,088 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $80,602
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $77,088
Stamford
Nominal: $98,232
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $91,040

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Larger job market (2,730 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stamford if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,232/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($152,260)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,040)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in New Haven grew 2.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Stamford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+2.4%

$77,940 (2019) → $79,820 (2025)

Stamford, CT

+10.3%

$88,165 (2024) → $97,279 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: New Haven or Stamford?

Stamford has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $98,232/year, compared to New Haven at $80,602/year — a difference of $17,630 (21.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Stamford?

New Haven elementary school teachers earn $38.76/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $47.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Stamford as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $77,088, Stamford = $91,040), job availability (2,730 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in New Haven vs Stamford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,116 in New Haven and $74,244 in Stamford. The Stamford 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