Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in DeKalb, IL: $28.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in DeKalb, IL runs $28.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,269 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against DeKalb's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,564 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in DeKalb, Illinois, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $28.50, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.06 per hour. This hourly rate facilitates various working arrangements, such as part-time roles, where teachers may work three days a week or engage in per-diem positions across K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and summer school programs. With hourly earnings ranging from $22.93 (entry-level) to $44.17 (top earners), educators can have flexible arrangements that suit their personal circumstances while still contributing to the vital educational sector in the region. Hourly rates, which are derived from annual salary data, reflect the differences in job settings and responsibilities, underscoring the importance of teaching experience, specializations, and local demand for qualified instructors.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.93 | $183.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.56 | $212.46 |
| Median (P50) | $28.50 | $227.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.97 | $279.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.17 | $353.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeKalb
Based on $28.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.50/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeKalb, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,273 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,196. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeKalb.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeKalb
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.86 | $4,939 | $59,273 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.92 | $2,964 | $35,564 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.94 | $1,976 | $23,709 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (DeKalb) | $28.50 |
| 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 DeKalb, IL earn a median of $59,269 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.25% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $61,610.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.50/hr = $35,564/year (purchasing power: $36,626).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,273/year (purchasing power: $61,043).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in DeKalb grew 7.2% from $26.32/hr (2019) to $28.22/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.78/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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb
When considering part-time opportunities, a teacher working just three days a week, rounding to 24 hours, can expect to take home roughly $35,040 annually, contrasting significantly with full-time earning potentials. Per-diem teachers have a varied pay scale as well; in DeKalb, substitute teachers can typically earn between $100 and $250 per day, with long-term substitutes seeing slightly higher daily rates. For those offering private tutoring or preparing students for standardized tests, hourly pay can range from $30 to $80 through established platforms, indicating substantial earning potential outside conventional teaching roles. Additionally, the pay structure varies widely across employer types. Public school positions may offer stability with benefits, while charter schools and private institutions might provide higher hourly wages but fewer benefits. Therefore, teachers often weigh the trade-offs between base hourly pay and comprehensive health benefits when contemplating job options. Negotiating effectively for pay in DeKalb requires understanding local pay scales and being aware of market rates for specializations, potentially allowing educators to maximize their salaries within the context of their individual situations.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 DeKalb. 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 DeKalb 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