Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $29.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Decatur, AL runs $29.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,689 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,013 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teachers in Decatur, Alabama, earn a median hourly rate of $29.66, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $31.06. This figure reflects the competitive nature of teaching positions in the area, especially for those involved in K-12 classroom instruction, special education, and tutoring roles. For part-time educators working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a substantial earnings capacity, allowing for flexibility while still making a significant impact in the classroom. The hourly compensation ranges from $23.84 for entry-level positions to $35.71 for top earners within the profession, indicating a wide spectrum of opportunities for educators at varying stages of their careers according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates projected for 2026.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.84 | $190.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.58 | $196.63 |
| Median (P50) | $29.66 | $237.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.36 | $282.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.71 | $285.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $29.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.66/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $61,688 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,589. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,186.31 | $5,141 | $61,688 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.79 | $3,084 | $37,013 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.53 | $2,056 | $24,675 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Decatur) | $29.66 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Decatur, AL earn a median of $61,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $61,566.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.66/hr = $37,013/year (purchasing power: $42,440).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,688/year (purchasing power: $70,734).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Decatur grew 17.9% from $24.90/hr (2019) to $29.37/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.95/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Decatur
Looking at part-time earnings in more detail, an elementary school teacher in Decatur working 24 hours a week might take home an annual income significantly less than that of a full-timer, yet still achieve a comfortable lifestyle given the area's lower cost of living index at 87.212. For per diem or agency educators, the reality can vary; substitutes can make between $100 to $250 a day depending on the length of their assignments, whereas private tutoring often yields between $30 to $80 an hour. Different employer types in Decatur, such as charter schools or private institutions, create a diverse pay landscape, making negotiations key for securing favorable terms. Teachers may accept lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer the flexibility of higher hourly pay without additional perks. Understanding these dynamics allows educators to make informed decisions about their careers and compensation strategies.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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