Teacher Salary

Rockford vs Romeoville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Rockford, IL and Romeoville, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rockford, IL
$64,829
$31.17/hr
Romeoville, IL
$58,954
$28.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockford, ILRomeoville, IL
Median Salary$64,829$58,954
Hourly Rate$31.17$28.35
Entry Level (P10)$47,481$46,931
25th Percentile$52,782$54,562
75th Percentile$82,824$74,194
Top Earner (P90)$98,728$91,379
Total Employed1,5307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockford ($64,829) and Romeoville ($58,954) elementary school teacher salaries.RockfordRomeovilleMedian Salary$64,829$58,954Entry Level (P10)$47,481$46,931Top Earner (P90)$98,728$91,379US Median $64,597

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Romeoville.

The salary gap between Rockford and Romeoville is $5,875 (9.97%). Rockford's median is +0.36% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockford spans $51,247,Romeoville spans $44,448. Rockford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rockford
P10 (Entry)$47,481
P25$52,782
Median$64,829
P75$82,824
P90 (Top)$98,728
Romeoville
P10 (Entry)$46,931
P25$54,562
Median$58,954
P75$74,194
P90 (Top)$91,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($70,349 effective) pays 15.87% more than Romeoville ($60,715 effective).

Rockford
Nominal: $64,829
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $70,349
Romeoville
Nominal: $58,954
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $60,715

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,829/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,728)
  • Larger job market (1,530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,349)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Romeoville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Rockford grew 7.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.8% growth in Romeoville over the same period.

Rockford, IL

+7.1%

$59,920 (2019) → $64,200 (2025)

Romeoville, IL

+-12.8%

$66,917 (2024) → $58,382 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Rockford or Romeoville?

Rockford has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $64,829/year, compared to Romeoville at $58,954/year — a difference of $5,875 (9.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Romeoville?

Rockford elementary school teachers earn $31.17/hr while Romeoville hygienists earn $28.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rockford to Romeoville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockford and Romeoville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockford = $70,349, Romeoville = $60,715), job availability (1,530 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Rockford vs Romeoville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,481 in Rockford and $46,931 in Romeoville. The Rockford 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