Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in West Palm Beach, FL: $28.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in West Palm Beach, FL runs $28.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,197 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against West Palm Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,118 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Palm Beach, Florida, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at $28.94, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.06. This wage is reflective of the area's cost of living, which is slightly above average. For part-time educators working three days a week, this translates into a manageable compensation for balancing work and personal commitments, particularly in settings like K-12 classrooms or after-school programs. Entry-level teachers might start at around $21.24 per hour, while top earners within the profession could see their hourly pay reach as high as $44.86. It’s important to consider these figures as estimates derived from annual salary data, offering a broad perspective on the financial landscape of teaching in West Palm Beach.
About the West Palm Beach 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) | $21.24 | $169.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.63 | $205.03 |
| Median (P50) | $28.94 | $231.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.05 | $296.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.86 | $358.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Palm Beach
Based on $28.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.94/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Palm Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $60,197 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,729. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Palm Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Palm Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.63 | $5,016 | $60,197 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.58 | $3,010 | $36,118 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.05 | $2,007 | $24,079 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (West Palm Beach) | $28.94 |
| 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 West Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $60,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.00% above the Florida state average of $59,017.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.94/hr = $36,118/year (purchasing power: $35,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,197/year (purchasing power: $59,719).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in West Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in West Palm Beach grew 7.2% from $26.73/hr (2019) to $28.66/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.22/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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach
When analyzing the earning potential for part-time educators, a teacher working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to bring home around $36,027 annually, a stark contrast to full-time colleagues who command salaries nearing $60,197. Additionally, per diem elementary school teacher pay in West Palm Beach varies; substitutes might earn from $100 to $250 per day, with long-term substitutes earning in the higher range. The diversity of employment settings, including public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions, influences hourly rates. Teachers in these roles often trade lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance, emphasizing the importance of evaluating compensation packages holistically. For those negotiating pay, understanding the differences across job types can provide leverage; organizations that provide tutoring services may offer rates starting from $30 to $80 per hour, allowing educators to maximize earnings while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. Such insights are crucial as teachers navigate their careers in the dynamic educational environment of West Palm Beach.
More salary data for West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach 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