Teacher Salary

Orlando vs West Palm Beach: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Orlando, FL and West Palm Beach, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$60,780
$29.22/hr
West Palm Beach, FL
$60,197
$28.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLWest Palm Beach, FL
Median Salary$60,780$60,197
Hourly Rate$29.22$28.94
Entry Level (P10)$48,693$44,168
25th Percentile$51,298$53,310
75th Percentile$62,900$77,053
Top Earner (P90)$72,776$93,306
Total Employed10,95029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($60,780) and West Palm Beach ($60,197) elementary school teacher salaries.OrlandoWest Palm BeachMedian Salary$60,780$60,197Entry Level (P10)$48,693$44,168Top Earner (P90)$72,776$93,306US Median $64,597

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to West Palm Beach.

The salary gap between Orlando and West Palm Beach is $583 (0.97%). Orlando's median is -5.91% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $24,083,West Palm Beach spans $49,138. West Palm Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$48,693
P25$51,298
Median$60,780
P75$62,900
P90 (Top)$72,776
West Palm Beach
P10 (Entry)$44,168
P25$53,310
Median$60,197
P75$77,053
P90 (Top)$93,306

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($59,930 effective) pays 0.35% more than West Palm Beach ($59,719 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $60,780
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $59,930
West Palm Beach
Nominal: $60,197
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $59,719

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,780/year)
  • Larger job market (10,950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,930)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose West Palm Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,306)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Orlando grew 17.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.3% growth in West Palm Beach over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+17.1%

$51,390 (2019) → $60,190 (2025)

West Palm Beach, FL

+-1.3%

$60,378 (2024) → $59,613 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Orlando or West Palm Beach?

Orlando has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,780/year, compared to West Palm Beach at $60,197/year — a difference of $583 (0.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and West Palm Beach?

Orlando elementary school teachers earn $29.22/hr while West Palm Beach hygienists earn $28.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to West Palm Beach as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and West Palm Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $59,930, West Palm Beach = $59,719), job availability (10,950 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Orlando vs West Palm Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $48,693 in Orlando and $44,168 in West Palm Beach. The Orlando 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