Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Fairfield, CT: $38.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Fairfield, CT runs $38.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,257 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Fairfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,548 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher hourly pay in Fairfield, Connecticut is projected to reach $38.10, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $31.06. This premium reflects the high cost of living in the area, with the salary range spanning from $29.78 for entry-level positions to $59.06 for the most experienced educators. For those looking at part-time roles, such as teaching three days a week, this hourly rate translates into substantial earnings for professionals balancing multiple commitments across various educational settings. Whether instructing in K-12 classrooms, leading special education programs, or providing after-school tutoring, hourly compensation allows for flexible work arrangements, especially for those engaged in summer school teaching or professional development training.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.78 | $238.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.03 | $280.24 |
| Median (P50) | $38.10 | $304.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.56 | $380.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.06 | $472.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairfield
Based on $38.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.10/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairfield, CT can expect to earn approximately $79,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,720. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,523.99 | $6,604 | $79,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $914.39 | $3,962 | $47,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $609.60 | $2,642 | $31,699 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Fairfield) | $38.10 |
| 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 Fairfield, CT earn a median of $79,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.69% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.70% below the Connecticut state average of $80,628.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.10/hr = $47,548/year (purchasing power: $44,067).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,247/year (purchasing power: $73,445).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Fairfield grew 7.2% from $35.19/hr (2019) to $37.73/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.47/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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield
Looking deeper into the part-time earning potential, a teacher working 24 hours per week could expect to take home an attractive salary over the course of the year compared to full-time staff. For instance, per diem arrangements, crucial in flexible roles, can yield daily earnings of $100-$200 for substitutes at public districts, with experienced long-term substitutes earning up to $250 per day. Additionally, platforms for tutoring services offer rates between $30 and $80 per hour, particularly for specialized subjects or standardized test preparation—demanding markets in a high cost of living area like Fairfield. In contrast, public education roles often come with the benefit of health insurance, incentivizing some educators to accept slightly lower hourly wages for long-term security. Effective negotiation of hourly pay, particularly in this competitive regional market, can be enhanced by emphasizing certifications such as National Board Certification or experience beyond the classroom, potentially leading to opportunities in various employment types across public, charter, and private school settings.
More salary data for Fairfield, CT:
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 Fairfield. 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 Fairfield 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