Teacher Salary

Springfield vs Wentzville: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Springfield, MO and Wentzville, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MO
$49,864
$23.97/hr
Wentzville, MO
$47,136
$22.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOWentzville, MO
Median Salary$49,864$47,136
Hourly Rate$23.97$22.66
Entry Level (P10)$40,675$37,231
25th Percentile$47,743$42,361
75th Percentile$61,234$59,112
Top Earner (P90)$72,615$73,061
Total Employed2,40010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($49,864) and Wentzville ($47,136) elementary school teacher salaries.SpringfieldWentzvilleMedian Salary$49,864$47,136Entry Level (P10)$40,675$37,231Top Earner (P90)$72,615$73,061US Median $64,597

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wentzville.

The salary gap between Springfield and Wentzville is $2,728 (5.79%). Springfield's median is -22.81% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $31,940,Wentzville spans $35,830. Wentzville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$40,675
P25$47,743
Median$49,864
P75$61,234
P90 (Top)$72,615
Wentzville
P10 (Entry)$37,231
P25$42,361
Median$47,136
P75$59,112
P90 (Top)$73,061

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($56,289 effective) pays 7.00% more than Wentzville ($52,607 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $49,864
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $56,289
Wentzville
Nominal: $47,136
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $52,607

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,864/year)
  • Larger job market (2,400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,289)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Wentzville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($73,061)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Springfield grew 7.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.4% growth in Wentzville over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+7.0%

$46,140 (2019) → $49,380 (2025)

Wentzville, MO

+-2.4%

$47,843 (2024) → $46,679 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Springfield or Wentzville?

Springfield has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $49,864/year, compared to Wentzville at $47,136/year — a difference of $2,728 (5.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Wentzville?

Springfield elementary school teachers earn $23.97/hr while Wentzville hygienists earn $22.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Wentzville as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Wentzville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $56,289, Wentzville = $52,607), job availability (2,400 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Springfield vs Wentzville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $40,675 in Springfield and $37,231 in Wentzville. The Springfield 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