Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $30.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Fort Collins, CO runs $30.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,547 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,122 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at a median of $30.55, slightly below the national median of $31.06. This hourly rate is significant for educators considering part-time opportunities or per-diem roles in diverse environments such as K-12 classrooms, special education settings, and after-school tutoring programs. Teachers working a typical 24-hour week (around three days) can expect an earnings range that extends from $25.59 at entry-level positions to $46.73 for those at the higher end of the scale. With 1,370 educators employed in this city, the data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, points toward competitive pay that aligns with the local cost of living index slightly above the national average.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.59 | $204.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.14 | $241.14 |
| Median (P50) | $30.55 | $244.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.77 | $310.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.73 | $373.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $30.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.55/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $63,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,656. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,221.86 | $5,295 | $63,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.11 | $3,177 | $38,122 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.74 | $2,118 | $25,415 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Fort Collins) | $30.55 |
| 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 Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $63,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.63% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% above the Colorado state average of $62,608.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.55/hr = $38,122/year (purchasing power: $37,697).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,537/year (purchasing power: $62,828).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Fort Collins grew 21.0% from $25.01/hr (2019) to $30.25/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.85/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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
The earning potential for part-time educators in Fort Collins offers a compelling financial picture. A teacher working three days a week would take home approximately $38,094 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts yet suitable for those seeking flexibility. For per-diem roles, substitute teachers often earn between $100-$200 per day, with long-term substitutes driving that figure up to $140-$250. Freelance tutoring can yield $30-$80 per hour, with specialized SAT/ACT prep work commanding rates as high as $200 in high-cost living areas. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer type, with public school districts, private institutions, and charter schools each offering varied compensation reflecting their operational models. While some may prioritize health insurance and retirement benefits in district roles, others might opt for higher hourly rates in private education without those perks. Negotiating hourly pay in Fort Collins can be influenced by factors such as certification, specialized training, and the specifics of the job market for elementary school educators.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
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 Fort Collins. 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