Teacher Salary

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

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

New Orleans, LA
$60,941
$29.29/hr
Thibodaux, LA
$58,110
$27.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LAThibodaux, LA
Median Salary$60,941$58,110
Hourly Rate$29.29$27.94
Entry Level (P10)$47,471$46,969
25th Percentile$51,096$54,074
75th Percentile$62,941$71,467
Top Earner (P90)$76,290$88,261
Total Employed4,4006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($60,941) and Thibodaux ($58,110) elementary school teacher salaries.New OrleansThibodauxMedian Salary$60,941$58,110Entry Level (P10)$47,471$46,969Top Earner (P90)$76,290$88,261US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Orleans and Thibodaux is $2,831 (4.87%). 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,Thibodaux spans $41,292. Thibodaux 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
Thibodaux
P10 (Entry)$46,969
P25$54,074
Median$58,110
P75$71,467
P90 (Top)$88,261

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($65,813 effective) pays 2.27% more than Thibodaux ($64,352 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $60,941
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $65,813
Thibodaux
Nominal: $58,110
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $64,352

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 Thibodaux if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,261)
  • 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 19.4% growth in Thibodaux over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+23.5%

$48,860 (2019) → $60,350 (2025)

Thibodaux, LA

+19.4%

$48,198 (2024) → $57,546 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New Orleans has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,941/year, compared to Thibodaux at $58,110/year — a difference of $2,831 (4.87%).

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

New Orleans elementary school teachers earn $29.29/hr while Thibodaux hygienists earn $27.94/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Thibodaux. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $65,813, Thibodaux = $64,352), job availability (4,400 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,471 in New Orleans and $46,969 in Thibodaux. 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