Teacher Salary

Salt Lake City vs Spanish Fork: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and Spanish Fork, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salt Lake City, UT
$78,684
$37.83/hr
Spanish Fork, UT
$72,089
$34.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalt Lake City, UTSpanish Fork, UT
Median Salary$78,684$72,089
Hourly Rate$37.83$34.66
Entry Level (P10)$49,622$55,485
25th Percentile$62,698$68,102
75th Percentile$98,617$89,360
Top Earner (P90)$103,515$111,737
Total Employed4,8409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salt Lake City ($78,684) and Spanish Fork ($72,089) elementary school teacher salaries.Salt Lake CitySpanish ForkMedian Salary$78,684$72,089Entry Level (P10)$49,622$55,485Top Earner (P90)$103,515$111,737US Median $64,597

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spanish Fork.

The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork is $6,595 (9.15%). Salt Lake City's median is +21.81% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salt Lake City spans $53,893,Spanish Fork spans $56,252. Spanish Fork has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$49,622
P25$62,698
Median$78,684
P75$98,617
P90 (Top)$103,515
Spanish Fork
P10 (Entry)$55,485
P25$68,102
Median$72,089
P75$89,360
P90 (Top)$111,737

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($78,007 effective) pays 6.15% more than Spanish Fork ($73,485 effective).

Salt Lake City
Nominal: $78,684
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $78,007
Spanish Fork
Nominal: $72,089
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $73,485

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,684/year)
  • Larger job market (4,840 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,007)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Spanish Fork if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,737)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Salt Lake City grew 52.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Spanish Fork over the same period.

Salt Lake City, UT

+52.3%

$51,150 (2019) → $77,920 (2025)

Spanish Fork, UT

+18.5%

$60,222 (2024) → $71,389 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Salt Lake City or Spanish Fork?

Salt Lake City has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $78,684/year, compared to Spanish Fork at $72,089/year — a difference of $6,595 (9.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork?

Salt Lake City elementary school teachers earn $37.83/hr while Spanish Fork hygienists earn $34.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to Spanish Fork as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salt Lake City = $78,007, Spanish Fork = $73,485), job availability (4,840 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Salt Lake City vs Spanish Fork?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,622 in Salt Lake City and $55,485 in Spanish Fork. The Spanish Fork 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