Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Galesburg, IL: $28.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Galesburg, IL runs $28.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,428 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Galesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,060 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Galesburg, IL, presents a vibrant landscape for elementary school teachers with a projected median hourly pay of $28.09 for 2026. This figure falls short of the national hourly median of $31.06, highlighting potential challenges for educators in the area. For part-time teachers, particularly those working three days a week, this translates into critical budget considerations when balancing work hours against household expenses. Positions in diverse settings, such as K-12 classrooms, after-school tutoring programs, and special education, allow for varied experiences; however, the hourly wage range from $21.95 for entry-level positions to $43.54 for top earners reflects a significant disparity based on experience and qualifications. Given that these rates are estimated from full-time salary data, part-time and per-diem work may not always directly mirror the benefits of full-time employment, particularly in terms of job security and insurance coverage.
About the Galesburg 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) | $21.95 | $175.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.70 | $205.60 |
| Median (P50) | $28.09 | $224.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.67 | $285.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.54 | $348.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galesburg
Based on $28.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.09/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galesburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $58,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,711. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,123.71 | $4,869 | $58,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.22 | $2,922 | $35,060 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.48 | $1,948 | $23,373 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Galesburg) | $28.09 |
| 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 Galesburg, IL earn a median of $58,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.55% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $61,568.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.09/hr = $35,060/year (purchasing power: $36,107).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,433/year (purchasing power: $60,178).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Galesburg grew 7.2% from $25.95/hr (2019) to $27.82/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.37/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 Galesburg 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 Galesburg
In exploring the earning potential for part-time elementary school educators, a teacher working a typical 24-hour week could expect to take home about $43,926 annually. Compared to full-time positions, this represents a substantial difference in earnings, as many full-time teachers enjoy the advantages of summer breaks and fuller retirement plans. For those considering per-diem opportunities, substitutes in Galesburg can earn anywhere from $100 to $200 per day, spiking to $250 for long-term roles, while tutoring platforms offer rates from $30 to $80 per hour, indicating a versatile income landscape. However, not all employer types pay equally; K-12 public school districts and charter schools may provide different structures compared to private institutions, with a trade-off between higher hourly wages and the security of health benefits. For local educators negotiating hourly pay, it may be useful to weigh opportunities carefully, considering the long-term benefits of full-time contracts against the flexibility and potentially higher pay of per-diem positions.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 Galesburg. 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 Galesburg 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