Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Clearwater, FL: $29.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Clearwater, FL runs $29.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,115 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Clearwater's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,673 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clearwater, Florida, elementary school teachers earn a median hourly rate of $29.39, slightly lower than the national average of $31.06 per hour. This pay scale can be significant for those considering part-time positions or per-diem roles in various educational settings, such as K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and summer school programs. The hourly pay range for these educators spans from $20.85 for entry-level teachers to as high as $45.54 for those at the top of the earnings spectrum, reflecting both experience and specialization within the profession. While these figures are derived from projected annual salaries, understanding the hourly pay is essential for crafting schedules in a field where varied educational roles may allow for flexible working arrangements.
About the Clearwater Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.85 | $166.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.47 | $203.74 |
| Median (P50) | $29.39 | $235.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.60 | $300.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.54 | $364.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clearwater
Based on $29.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.39/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clearwater, FL can expect to earn approximately $61,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,262. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Clearwater.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clearwater
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,175.41 | $5,093 | $61,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $705.24 | $3,056 | $36,673 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $470.16 | $2,037 | $24,448 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Clearwater) | $29.39 |
| 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 Clearwater, FL earn a median of $61,115 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.50% above the Florida state average of $59,048.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.39/hr = $36,673/year (purchasing power: $36,382).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,121/year (purchasing power: $60,636).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Clearwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Clearwater grew 7.2% from $27.14/hr (2019) to $29.10/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.67/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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater
Annual earnings for a part-time elementary school teacher working three days a week, with a total of 24 hours, can yield a notable difference in take-home pay compared to their full-time counterparts in Clearwater. Many substitute teachers in the area can expect per diem pay ranging from $100 to $200 a day, while long-term substitutes may earn as much as $140 to $250 daily. Tutoring opportunities present varying pay scales, with rates between $30 to $80 per hour through platforms such as Wyzant and Outschool. It's crucial to recognize that the type of employer influences hourly earnings. Public school districts may follow a step-and-lane scale as dictated by state guidelines, whereas charter schools might offer variable rates based on performance and student population. Additionally, teachers might face a trade-off between seeking higher hourly wages without benefits or opting for a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance. For educators in Clearwater, negotiating better pay often involves understanding these dynamics and highlighting unique qualifications during discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Clearwater, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Clearwater in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Clearwater?
Are elementary school teachers in Clearwater paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Clearwater?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Clearwater?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater 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