Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $28.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Gadsden, AL runs $28.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,457 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,072 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Gadsden, Alabama, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at a median of $28.10, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.06. This hourly rate provides realistic earning potential for part-time educators, such as those working three days a week in various settings: K-12 classrooms, special education, or summer school programs. A teacher working part-time at 24 hours a week would net an annual income that reflects a portion of full-time salaries, while per-diem opportunities range from tutoring to teaching professional development workshops. The hourly pay can vary considerably from $21.34 for entry-level positions to as much as $33.44 for seasoned professionals in Gadsden. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, offer vital insights into the local educational landscape and the compensation structures for different roles within the profession.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.34 | $170.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.51 | $180.07 |
| Median (P50) | $28.10 | $224.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.45 | $235.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.44 | $267.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $28.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.10/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $58,454 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,723. With a cost-of-living index of 85.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,124.11 | $4,871 | $58,454 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.47 | $2,923 | $35,072 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.64 | $1,948 | $23,381 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Gadsden) | $28.10 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL earn a median of $58,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.51% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.00% below the Alabama state average of $61,534.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.10/hr = $35,072/year (purchasing power: $40,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,454/year (purchasing power: $68,245).
CoL index: 85.653 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Gadsden grew 7.2% from $25.96/hr (2019) to $27.83/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.38/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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden
Evaluating the part-time earning potential for an elementary school teacher in Gadsden reveals that working three days a week means an estimated annual take-home that is far less than that of full-time educators. In this context, per-diem arrangements can be more lucrative; substitutes often earn between $100 and $250 a day, depending on the length of their assignment. Contracted tutors can command $30-$80 per hour, significantly enhancing their income if they secure enough clients or positions through platforms. Compensation structures vary widely across employers in Gadsden, with K-12 public school districts typically adhering to a step-and-lane pay scale, while charter networks may offer variable salaries based on their unique models. It’s common for educators to trade higher hourly rates for the stability of benefits like health insurance when choosing between positions. In negotiating their hourly pay, teachers in this region should be familiar with the market rates while also being mindful of the overall compensation package offered, including benefits and job security.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden. 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, 5-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