Teacher Salary

Plano vs San Antonio: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Plano, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plano, TX
$63,566
$30.56/hr
San Antonio, TX
$62,325
$29.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlano, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$63,566$62,325
Hourly Rate$30.56$29.96
Entry Level (P10)$44,501$48,965
25th Percentile$54,864$59,598
75th Percentile$81,365$63,607
Top Earner (P90)$98,527$66,283
Total Employed5712,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plano ($63,566) and San Antonio ($62,325) elementary school teacher salaries.PlanoSan AntonioMedian Salary$63,566$62,325Entry Level (P10)$44,501$48,965Top Earner (P90)$98,527$66,283US Median $64,597

Verdict

Plano, TX offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Plano and San Antonio is $1,241 (1.99%). Plano's median is -1.60% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plano spans $54,026,San Antonio spans $17,318. Plano has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Plano
P10 (Entry)$44,501
P25$54,864
Median$63,566
P75$81,365
P90 (Top)$98,527
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$48,965
P25$59,598
Median$62,325
P75$63,607
P90 (Top)$66,283

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Plano ($66,215 effective) pays 0.63% more than San Antonio ($65,802 effective).

Plano
Nominal: $63,566
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $66,215
San Antonio
Nominal: $62,325
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $65,802

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plano if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,566/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,527)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,215)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (12,220 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Plano grew -7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Plano, TX

+-7.7%

$68,193 (2024) → $62,949 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+8.3%

$57,010 (2019) → $61,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Plano or San Antonio?

Plano has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $63,566/year, compared to San Antonio at $62,325/year — a difference of $1,241 (1.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plano and San Antonio?

Plano elementary school teachers earn $30.56/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $29.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plano to San Antonio as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plano and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plano = $66,215, San Antonio = $65,802), job availability (57 vs 12,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Plano vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,501 in Plano and $48,965 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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