Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $38.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Chicago, IL runs $38.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,498 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the projected elementary school teacher hourly pay for 2026 is $38.06. This figure is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.06, reflecting the city's relatively higher cost of living and demand for educators. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this rate translates into a commendable income, enabling them to effectively participate in diverse educational environments like K-12 classrooms, special education settings, and after-school programs. The hourly range for Chicago teachers spans from $23.77 for entry-level positions to $51.10 for more experienced educators. This variability allows for flexible employment arrangements, such as per diem work, which provides opportunities for teachers to supplement their income through substitute teaching or tutoring while maintaining a work-life balance.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.77 | $190.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.44 | $235.49 |
| Median (P50) | $38.06 | $304.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.73 | $397.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.10 | $408.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $38.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.06/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $79,163 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,671. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,522.37 | $6,597 | $79,163 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $913.42 | $3,958 | $47,498 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $608.95 | $2,639 | $31,665 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Chicago) | $38.06 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $79,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.54% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 28.50% above the Illinois state average of $61,602.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.06/hr = $47,498/year (purchasing power: $45,850).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,163/year (purchasing power: $76,416).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Chicago grew 23.2% from $30.59/hr (2019) to $37.69/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.43/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
With opportunities for part-time teachers in Chicago, a typical three-day workweek amounts to approximately 24 hours, translating to about $47,000 annually before taxes, a reasonable figure compared to full-time earnings. For those seeking per diem positions, substitute teacher pay varies widely, often falling between $100 and $200 per day, with long-term substitutes earning up to $250. In addition, private tutoring through platforms can offer rates from $30 to $80 an hour, significantly boosting take-home pay. Hourly rates differ across employer types in Chicago; while K-12 public schools might follow a structured pay scale based on years of experience and education, charter and private schools often offer more flexibility in pay and hours but may not provide the same benefits. Teachers must evaluate the trade-off between higher hourly wages and the security of benefits like health insurance provided by full-time employment to make informed career decisions. To enhance their negotiating power, educators should emphasize their qualifications and experience while being aware of the competitive nature of the market for teaching positions in the city.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 Chicago. 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