Teacher Salary

New Iberia vs New Orleans: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between New Iberia, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Iberia, LA
$52,756
$25.37/hr
New Orleans, LA
$60,941
$29.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Iberia, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$52,756$60,941
Hourly Rate$25.37$29.29
Entry Level (P10)$41,113$47,471
25th Percentile$48,173$51,096
75th Percentile$66,897$62,941
Top Earner (P90)$81,772$76,290
Total Employed74,400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Iberia ($52,756) and New Orleans ($60,941) elementary school teacher salaries.New IberiaNew OrleansMedian Salary$52,756$60,941Entry Level (P10)$41,113$47,471Top Earner (P90)$81,772$76,290US Median $64,597

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Iberia.

The salary gap between New Iberia and New Orleans is $8,185 (15.51%). New Orleans's median is -5.66% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Iberia spans $40,659,New Orleans spans $28,819. New Iberia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Iberia
P10 (Entry)$41,113
P25$48,173
Median$52,756
P75$66,897
P90 (Top)$81,772
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$47,471
P25$51,096
Median$60,941
P75$62,941
P90 (Top)$76,290

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($65,813 effective) pays 12.65% more than New Iberia ($58,423 effective).

New Iberia
Nominal: $52,756
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $58,423
New Orleans
Nominal: $60,941
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $65,813

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Iberia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,772)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,941/year)
  • Larger job market (4,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,813)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in New Iberia grew 5.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.5% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

New Iberia, LA

+5.3%

$49,614 (2024) → $52,244 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+23.5%

$48,860 (2019) → $60,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: New Iberia or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,941/year, compared to New Iberia at $52,756/year — a difference of $8,185 (15.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Iberia and New Orleans?

New Iberia elementary school teachers earn $25.37/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $29.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Iberia to New Orleans as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Iberia and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Iberia = $58,423, New Orleans = $65,813), job availability (7 vs 4,400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in New Iberia vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $41,113 in New Iberia and $47,471 in New Orleans. The New Orleans 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