Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Plainfield, IL: $28.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Plainfield, IL runs $28.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,556 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Plainfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,728 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Plainfield, IL, the projected hourly pay for elementary school teachers stands at $28.63, which is lower than the national median of $31.06. This difference means that educators seeking part-time work, such as those desiring to teach three days a week, will find their earnings impacted. Specifically, a part-time schedule can yield approximately $27,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time salary. The hourly range for teachers in Plainfield is broad, from $23.14 for entry-level positions to $44.38 for top earners, reflecting a wide variance in experience and specialization. Job settings for these professionals include K-12 classrooms, special education environments, after-school programs, and summer instructional opportunities, where flexible hours allow for diverse work arrangements.
About the Plainfield 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) | $23.14 | $185.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.85 | $214.80 |
| Median (P50) | $28.63 | $229.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.37 | $290.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.38 | $355.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plainfield
Based on $28.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.63/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plainfield, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,546 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,353. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Plainfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plainfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.11 | $4,962 | $59,546 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.07 | $2,977 | $35,728 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.05 | $1,985 | $23,818 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Plainfield) | $28.63 |
| 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 Plainfield, IL earn a median of $59,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.80% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $61,588.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.63/hr = $35,728/year (purchasing power: $36,795).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,546/year (purchasing power: $61,324).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Plainfield grew 7.2% from $26.44/hr (2019) to $28.35/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.91/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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield
Focusing on part-time earnings, a teacher working three days a week typically brings home around $27,000 in comparison to a full-time salary, which aligns with the prevailing local trends. Per diem elementary school teacher pay situations in Plainfield can vary significantly, with substitute teachers averaging between $100 and $250 per day, depending on the district and assignment duration. Those opting for private tutoring or specialized instruction through platforms may earn rates ranging from $30 to $80 per hour. While local public schools may offer stable employment with benefits, charter and private institutions can have less predictable compensation structures, leading some educators to prioritize health insurance over higher hourly rates. When negotiating pay, educators should emphasize local standards and consider the value of non-monetary benefits in their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 Plainfield. 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 Plainfield 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