Teacher Salary

San Tan Valley vs Yuma: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between San Tan Valley, AZ and Yuma, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Tan Valley, AZ
$48,712
$23.42/hr
Yuma, AZ
$48,834
$23.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Tan Valley, AZYuma, AZ
Median Salary$48,712$48,834
Hourly Rate$23.42$23.48
Entry Level (P10)$35,962$46,289
25th Percentile$45,018$47,400
75th Percentile$61,080$59,780
Top Earner (P90)$75,503$59,901
Total Employed12730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Tan Valley ($48,712) and Yuma ($48,834) elementary school teacher salaries.San Tan ValleyYumaMedian Salary$48,712$48,834Entry Level (P10)$35,962$46,289Top Earner (P90)$75,503$59,901US Median $64,597

Verdict

Yuma, AZ offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Tan Valley.

The salary gap between San Tan Valley and Yuma is $122 (0.25%). Yuma's median is -24.40% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Tan Valley spans $39,541,Yuma spans $13,612. San Tan Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Tan Valley
P10 (Entry)$35,962
P25$45,018
Median$48,712
P75$61,080
P90 (Top)$75,503
Yuma
P10 (Entry)$46,289
P25$47,400
Median$48,834
P75$59,780
P90 (Top)$59,901

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Yuma ($52,676 effective) pays 6.52% more than San Tan Valley ($49,454 effective).

San Tan Valley
Nominal: $48,712
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $49,454
Yuma
Nominal: $48,834
CoL Index: 92.706
Adjusted: $52,676

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Tan Valley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($75,503)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Yuma if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,834/year)
  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,676)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in San Tan Valley grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.7% growth in Yuma over the same period.

San Tan Valley, AZ

+-16.0%

$57,439 (2024) → $48,239 (2025)

Yuma, AZ

+22.7%

$39,420 (2019) → $48,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: San Tan Valley or Yuma?

Yuma has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $48,834/year, compared to San Tan Valley at $48,712/year — a difference of $122 (0.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Tan Valley and Yuma?

San Tan Valley elementary school teachers earn $23.42/hr while Yuma hygienists earn $23.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Tan Valley to Yuma as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Tan Valley and Yuma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Tan Valley = $49,454, Yuma = $52,676), job availability (12 vs 730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in San Tan Valley vs Yuma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $35,962 in San Tan Valley and $46,289 in Yuma. The Yuma 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