Teacher Salary

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

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

New Orleans, LA
$60,941
$29.29/hr
Sulphur, LA
$51,497
$24.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASulphur, LA
Median Salary$60,941$51,497
Hourly Rate$29.29$24.76
Entry Level (P10)$47,471$42,037
25th Percentile$51,096$48,221
75th Percentile$62,941$63,616
Top Earner (P90)$76,290$78,673
Total Employed4,4005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($60,941) and Sulphur ($51,497) elementary school teacher salaries.New OrleansSulphurMedian Salary$60,941$51,497Entry Level (P10)$47,471$42,037Top Earner (P90)$76,290$78,673US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Orleans and Sulphur is $9,444 (18.34%). 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 Orleans spans $28,819,Sulphur spans $36,636. Sulphur has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$47,471
P25$51,096
Median$60,941
P75$62,941
P90 (Top)$76,290
Sulphur
P10 (Entry)$42,037
P25$48,221
Median$51,497
P75$63,616
P90 (Top)$78,673

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($65,813 effective) pays 15.40% more than Sulphur ($57,029 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $60,941
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $65,813
Sulphur
Nominal: $51,497
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $57,029

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Sulphur if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($78,673)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in New Orleans grew 23.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.3% growth in Sulphur over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+23.5%

$48,860 (2019) → $60,350 (2025)

Sulphur, LA

+5.3%

$48,430 (2024) → $50,997 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New Orleans has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,941/year, compared to Sulphur at $51,497/year — a difference of $9,444 (18.34%).

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

New Orleans elementary school teachers earn $29.29/hr while Sulphur hygienists earn $24.76/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Sulphur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $65,813, Sulphur = $57,029), job availability (4,400 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,471 in New Orleans and $42,037 in Sulphur. 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