Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Opelika, AL: $28.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Opelika, AL runs $28.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,298 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Opelika's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,181 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Opelika, Alabama, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers is $28.99, which falls below the national median of $31.06. This rate provides essential insights, particularly for part-time educators or those working on a per-diem basis. With a typical teaching schedule of three days a week, educators can expect their earnings to scale with the hours they commit, shaping their financial landscape significantly. The hourly pay ranges from $23.48 at the entry-level (P10) to as high as $44.94 for the top earners (P90) within the profession. These figures reflect the estimated hourly rates derived from annual salary data, signifying the potential for competitive pay across various educational settings—including K-12 classrooms, summer programs, specialized tutoring, and professional development opportunities.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.48 | $187.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.14 | $217.15 |
| Median (P50) | $28.99 | $231.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.81 | $294.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.94 | $359.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Opelika
Based on $28.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.99/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Opelika, AL can expect to earn approximately $60,302 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,790. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Opelika.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Opelika
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,159.65 | $5,025 | $60,302 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.79 | $3,015 | $36,181 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.86 | $2,010 | $24,121 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Opelika) | $28.99 |
| 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 Opelika, AL earn a median of $60,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.66% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.00% below the Alabama state average of $61,529.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.99/hr = $36,181/year (purchasing power: $41,162).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,302/year (purchasing power: $68,603).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Opelika grew 7.2% from $26.78/hr (2019) to $28.71/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.28/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 Opelika 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 Opelika
A part-time elementary school teacher working three days a week in Opelika could realistically earn around $36,000 annually, compared to a full-time educator’s average salary, which is contingent upon experience and educational credentials. This disparity often leads teachers to consider per-diem or substitute roles, where daily rates can vary widely. Typically, substitute teachers in local districts might earn between $100 to $250 per day. For those engaged in tutoring, platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors offer rates ranging from $30 to $80 hourly, with high-demand subjects such as SAT or ACT prep attracting $80 to $200 per hour, especially in higher-cost-of-living areas. Additionally, hourly pay can differ based on the type of educational institution—public schools may follow a step-and-lane structure, whereas charter or private schools could have more varied pay scales. Teachers often weigh the benefits of steady employment, such as health insurance, against potentially higher per-hour rates without benefits when negotiating their employment terms in Opelika, thus influencing their decision on the type of teaching role they pursue.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Opelika in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Opelika?
Are elementary school teachers in Opelika paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Opelika?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Opelika?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 Opelika. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Opelika is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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