Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Plant City, FL: $26.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Plant City, FL runs $26.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,885 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Plant City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,535 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plant City, Florida, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $26.87 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.06. This discrepancy can impact individuals working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a part-time teacher working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $1,287.36 weekly before taxes, which allows for flexible scheduling in K-12 classroom settings, special education instruction, and after-school tutoring programs. With an hourly range from $20.79 to $41.64, teachers at the entry-level can find opportunities, while those with more experience or specialties can potentially command higher rates, contributing to the variation in pay structures across different teaching settings.
About the Plant City 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) | $20.79 | $166.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.51 | $196.06 |
| Median (P50) | $26.87 | $214.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.04 | $272.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.64 | $333.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plant City
Based on $26.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.87/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plant City, FL can expect to earn approximately $55,891 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,245. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Plant City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plant City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,074.83 | $4,658 | $55,891 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $644.90 | $2,795 | $33,535 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $429.93 | $1,863 | $22,356 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Plant City) | $26.87 |
| 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 Plant City, FL earn a median of $55,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.49% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $59,013.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.87/hr = $33,535/year (purchasing power: $33,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,891/year (purchasing power: $55,448).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Plant City grew 7.2% from $24.82/hr (2019) to $26.61/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.13/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 Plant City 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 Plant City
When considering the annual earning potential of part-time teachers, those working a 3-day week accumulate approximately $33,507 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who generally earn significantly more. In the realm of per diem employment, substitute teachers earn between $100 and $200 per day, and long-term substitutes can earn anywhere from $140 to $250 daily. Freelance tutoring through platforms such as Wyzant can yield $30 to $80 per hour, particularly for subjects in high demand. The hourly earnings in Plant City can also vary widely based on the employer type, with public school districts providing more stable benefits despite potentially lower hourly rates compared to private or charter schools. This trade-off may influence teachers’ decisions, as some opt for positions that offer health insurance and retirement benefits despite lower hourly compensation. For teachers seeking better pay, it’s wise to negotiate based on experience and specialized skills, especially in areas like special education or STEM, which are often in higher demand.
More salary data for Plant City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Plant City in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Plant City?
Are elementary school teachers in Plant City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Plant City?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Plant City?
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 Plant City. 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 Plant City 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