Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $28.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $28.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,097 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,463 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers is $28.42, reflecting a competitive position within the state’s educational landscape. This rate falls below the national median of $31.06, representing an approximate 8.51% difference. For those considering part-time roles—such as teaching three days a week—this hourly rate can translate into varying income levels depending on weekly hours worked. Per-diem workers in settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education programs, and after-school tutoring may find flexible earning potential as they navigate assignments through the academic year. The hourly compensation for elementary school teachers in Vestavia Hills ranges from $21.90 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $44.04 for top earners (90th percentile), providing distinct opportunities across diverse educational environments.
About the Vestavia Hills 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) | $21.90 | $175.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.77 | $206.16 |
| Median (P50) | $28.42 | $227.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.86 | $286.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.04 | $352.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $28.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.42/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $59,105 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,099. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,136.63 | $4,925 | $59,105 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $681.98 | $2,955 | $35,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $454.65 | $1,970 | $23,642 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Vestavia Hills) | $28.42 |
| 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 Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $59,097 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.51% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $61,559.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.42/hr = $35,463/year (purchasing power: $40,345).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,105/year (purchasing power: $67,241).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Vestavia Hills grew 7.2% from $26.25/hr (2019) to $28.14/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.69/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 Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills
When looking at part-time opportunities, a teacher working 24 hours per week might earn an estimated $36,000 annually, while full-time positions provide a significantly higher earning trajectory. Substitute teachers in this area typically make between $100 and $200 per day, indicating a competitive per diem scenario. For contractual roles, tutoring positions boast varying pay scales, with direct-pay tutoring platforms offering between $30 and $80 per hour—particularly lucrative in higher-cost living areas. Additionally, employing public versus charter schools can affect rates; public schools usually follow a step-and-lane salary structure, whereas charter schools may vary across the board. Educators must weigh the potential benefits of lower hourly rates with steady health insurance against roles with higher pay that lack such benefits. Negotiating tips for hourly workers might include clarity on salary expectations and the value of certifications, especially in specialized subjects like STEM or special education, which are often in high demand in Vestavia Hills.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, 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 Vestavia Hills. 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 Vestavia Hills 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