Teacher Salary

New Rochelle vs Rochester: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between New Rochelle, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Rochelle, NY
$78,123
$37.55/hr
Rochester, NY
$63,456
$30.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Rochelle, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$78,123$63,456
Hourly Rate$37.55$30.51
Entry Level (P10)$57,256$48,581
25th Percentile$72,124$58,316
75th Percentile$97,765$79,976
Top Earner (P90)$121,091$93,578
Total Employed205,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Rochelle ($78,123) and Rochester ($63,456) elementary school teacher salaries.New RochelleRochesterMedian Salary$78,123$63,456Entry Level (P10)$57,256$48,581Top Earner (P90)$121,091$93,578US Median $64,597

Verdict

New Rochelle, NY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between New Rochelle and Rochester is $14,667 (23.11%). New Rochelle's median is +20.94% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Rochelle spans $63,835,Rochester spans $44,997. New Rochelle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Rochelle
P10 (Entry)$57,256
P25$72,124
Median$78,123
P75$97,765
P90 (Top)$121,091
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$48,581
P25$58,316
Median$63,456
P75$79,976
P90 (Top)$93,578

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Rochelle ($67,406 effective) pays 3.07% more than Rochester ($65,395 effective).

New Rochelle
Nominal: $78,123
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $67,406
Rochester
Nominal: $63,456
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $65,395

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Rochelle if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,123/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,091)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,406)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (5,100 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in New Rochelle grew -27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.3% growth in Rochester over the same period.

New Rochelle, NY

+-27.8%

$107,120 (2024) → $77,365 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+0.3%

$62,680 (2019) → $62,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: New Rochelle or Rochester?

New Rochelle has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $78,123/year, compared to Rochester at $63,456/year — a difference of $14,667 (23.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Rochelle and Rochester?

New Rochelle elementary school teachers earn $37.55/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $30.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Rochelle to Rochester as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Rochelle and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Rochelle = $67,406, Rochester = $65,395), job availability (20 vs 5,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in New Rochelle vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $57,256 in New Rochelle and $48,581 in Rochester. The New Rochelle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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