Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $29.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Tampa, FL runs $29.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,709 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,421 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the projected elementary school teacher hourly pay for 2026 stands at $29.18, which is noteworthy in comparison to the national median of $31.06. This rate provides a practical perspective for educators working in various settings, including K-12 classroom instruction, special education environments, and after-school tutoring programs. With an hourly range from $24.24 at the entry-level to $36.08 at the top of the pay scale, teachers can find diverse opportunities based on their experience and educational background. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data illustrate how this hourly pay is essential for both full-time and part-time positions, as those working 3 days a week may rely on this rate for financial stability in their career while managing their responsibilities.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.24 | $193.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.72 | $197.76 |
| Median (P50) | $29.18 | $233.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.12 | $248.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.08 | $288.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $29.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.18/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $60,701 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,020. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.33 | $5,058 | $60,701 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.40 | $3,035 | $36,421 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.93 | $2,023 | $24,280 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Tampa) | $29.18 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $60,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $59,056.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.18/hr = $36,421/year (purchasing power: $36,099).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,701/year (purchasing power: $60,166).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Tampa grew -9.3% from $31.85/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.47/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
Examining part-time earning potential reveals that a teacher working three days a week for 24 hours would generate a substantial difference in total annual income compared to a full-time position. For instance, part-time roles allow educators to balance flexibility while still benefitting from Tampa's educational community. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Tampa can vary significantly; substitute teachers typically earn between $100 and $200 per day, while long-term substitutes can command $140 to $250 daily. Furthermore, tutors through platforms like Wyzant and Outschool can charge from $30 to $80 an hour. This reflects the variable nature of hourly rates across different educational institutions, such as K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions. For many educators, the decision to pursue lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits is a common trade-off. When negotiating pay, educators should emphasize experience and relevant credentials to secure the best possible hourly rate, with a keen understanding of the Tampa market dynamics.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
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 Tampa. 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