Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Normal, IL: $28.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Normal, IL runs $28.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,716 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Normal's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,828 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Elementary school teachers in Normal, IL, can expect a median hourly rate of $28.71 for their labor in 2026. This rate is notably lower compared to the national median of $31.06 per hour, highlighting a regional pay disparity. For part-time teachers, such as those working three days a week, this translates to a challenging situation in terms of income reliability, especially when teaching in varied settings, including K-12 classrooms, special education, and after-school programs. Entry-level positions may start around $20.99 per hour, while experienced educators can potentially earn up to $44.50 per hour based on the district's pay grading and individual qualifications. These hourly rates offer insight into the different levels of pay across positions that can influence the decision-making process for new educators entering the workforce.
About the Normal 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) | $20.99 | $167.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.29 | $202.28 |
| Median (P50) | $28.71 | $229.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.43 | $291.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.50 | $356.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Normal
Based on $28.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.71/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Normal, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,714 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,450. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Normal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Normal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.34 | $4,976 | $59,714 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.01 | $2,986 | $35,828 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.34 | $1,990 | $23,886 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Normal) | $28.71 |
| 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 Normal, IL earn a median of $59,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.56% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $61,562.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.71/hr = $35,828/year (purchasing power: $36,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,714/year (purchasing power: $61,497).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Normal grew 7.2% from $26.52/hr (2019) to $28.43/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.99/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 Normal 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 Normal
When considering the potential earnings for part-time and per-diem roles, a 3-day workweek accumulates approximately $37,123 a year for an elementary school teacher in Normal, which is considerably less than full-time earnings. Per diem educators often find themselves earning between $100 and $200 per day in public school settings, with long-term substitutes making anywhere from $140 to $250 daily. Specialized tutoring platforms offer generous per-hour rates ranging from $30 to $80, while private SAT and ACT tutors in higher-cost-of-living areas can command fees of $80 to $200 an hour. Employment type significantly impacts hourly wages in Normal, with public school districts generally offering more stability and benefits compared to charter and private schools, although often at the cost of a lower hourly wage. Teachers navigating the job market might find that while some accept reduced pay for health insurance and retirement benefits, others may opt for higher-paying gigs without such provisions. It’s advisable for educators to negotiate carefully based on the full compensation package offered, balancing hourly rates with overall job security and benefits.
More salary data for Normal, 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 Normal. 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 Normal 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