Teacher Salary

Roanoke vs Woodbridge: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Roanoke, VA and Woodbridge, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roanoke, VA
$62,618
$30.10/hr
Woodbridge, VA
$59,411
$28.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VAWoodbridge, VA
Median Salary$62,618$59,411
Hourly Rate$30.10$28.57
Entry Level (P10)$47,491$47,718
25th Percentile$54,923$55,297
75th Percentile$74,372$72,842
Top Earner (P90)$78,522$92,087
Total Employed1,4509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($62,618) and Woodbridge ($59,411) elementary school teacher salaries.RoanokeWoodbridgeMedian Salary$62,618$59,411Entry Level (P10)$47,491$47,718Top Earner (P90)$78,522$92,087US Median $64,597

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodbridge.

The salary gap between Roanoke and Woodbridge is $3,207 (5.40%). Roanoke's median is -3.06% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $31,031,Woodbridge spans $44,369. Woodbridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$47,491
P25$54,923
Median$62,618
P75$74,372
P90 (Top)$78,522
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$47,718
P25$55,297
Median$59,411
P75$72,842
P90 (Top)$92,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($66,887 effective) pays 16.19% more than Woodbridge ($57,569 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $62,618
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $66,887
Woodbridge
Nominal: $59,411
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $57,569

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,618/year)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,887)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbridge if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,087)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Roanoke grew 20.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -17.6% growth in Woodbridge over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+20.1%

$51,620 (2019) → $62,010 (2025)

Woodbridge, VA

+-17.6%

$71,432 (2024) → $58,834 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Roanoke or Woodbridge?

Roanoke has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,618/year, compared to Woodbridge at $59,411/year — a difference of $3,207 (5.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Woodbridge?

Roanoke elementary school teachers earn $30.10/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $28.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roanoke to Woodbridge as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $66,887, Woodbridge = $57,569), job availability (1,450 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Roanoke vs Woodbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,491 in Roanoke and $47,718 in Woodbridge. The Woodbridge 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