Teacher Salary

Woburn vs Worcester: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Woburn, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Woburn, MA
$78,161
$37.57/hr
Worcester, MA
$83,622
$40.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricWoburn, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$78,161$83,622
Hourly Rate$37.57$40.20
Entry Level (P10)$61,458$60,760
25th Percentile$70,036$66,374
75th Percentile$97,818$97,759
Top Earner (P90)$121,149$102,919
Total Employed103,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Woburn ($78,161) and Worcester ($83,622) elementary school teacher salaries.WoburnWorcesterMedian Salary$78,161$83,622Entry Level (P10)$61,458$60,760Top Earner (P90)$121,149$102,919US Median $64,597

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Woburn.

The salary gap between Woburn and Worcester is $5,461 (6.99%). Worcester's median is +29.45% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Woburn spans $59,691,Worcester spans $42,159. Woburn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Woburn
P10 (Entry)$61,458
P25$70,036
Median$78,161
P75$97,818
P90 (Top)$121,149
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$60,760
P25$66,374
Median$83,622
P75$97,759
P90 (Top)$102,919

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($81,564 effective) pays 13.22% more than Woburn ($72,038 effective).

Woburn
Nominal: $78,161
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,038
Worcester
Nominal: $83,622
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $81,564

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Woburn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($121,149)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,622/year)
  • Larger job market (3,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,564)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Woburn grew -14.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Woburn, MA

+-14.8%

$90,841 (2024) → $77,402 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+20.5%

$68,740 (2019) → $82,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Woburn or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $83,622/year, compared to Woburn at $78,161/year — a difference of $5,461 (6.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Woburn and Worcester?

Woburn elementary school teachers earn $37.57/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $40.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Woburn to Worcester as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Woburn and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Woburn = $72,038, Worcester = $81,564), job availability (10 vs 3,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Woburn vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $61,458 in Woburn and $60,760 in Worcester. The Woburn 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