Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Urbana, IL: $28.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Urbana, IL runs $28.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Urbana's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,005 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Urbana, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for an elementary school teacher in 2026 is $28.85, which falls below the national median of $31.06 per hour. This difference highlights the cost-of-living dynamics in Urbana and offers insights into what educators can expect from part-time or per-diem roles. For example, someone working three days a week can expect to earn around $1,300 gross weekly, which could be substantial for those balancing other commitments. At the entry level, hourly rates start at approximately $23.43, while more experienced or specialized educators can reach up to $44.72 per hour. These figures underscore the variability in compensation based on experience and the specific educational environment, whether that be K-12 classrooms, summer programs, or tutoring settings.
About the Urbana 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) | $23.43 | $187.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.04 | $216.34 |
| Median (P50) | $28.85 | $230.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.64 | $293.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.72 | $357.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbana
Based on $28.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.85/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbana, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,008 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,620. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,154.00 | $5,001 | $60,008 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $692.40 | $3,000 | $36,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.60 | $2,000 | $24,003 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Urbana) | $28.85 |
| 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 Urbana, IL earn a median of $60,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.09% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $61,617.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.85/hr = $36,005/year (purchasing power: $37,080).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,008/year (purchasing power: $61,800).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Urbana grew 7.2% from $26.65/hr (2019) to $28.57/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.13/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 Urbana 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 Urbana
For part-time teachers dedicating 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can significantly differ compared to full-time educators, averaging much less than the total annual salary for their full-time counterparts. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Urbana reflects a range of opportunities, with substitute teachers earning between $100-$200 per day depending on the district and long-term substitutes making $140-$250 per day. Tutors can earn even more, with rates of $30-$80 per hour through platforms designed for personalized instruction. In Urbana, hourly rates also vary significantly based on the institution type—public districts generally have defined pay scales while charter and private schools may offer more flexible but sometimes lower compensation. Benefiting from higher hourly rates might come at the cost of lacking health insurance or other benefits that are typically bundled for full-time staff. Teachers negotiating hourly pay might consider proposing flexible scheduling or additional responsibilities to enhance their total compensation package.
More salary data for Urbana, 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 Urbana. 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 Urbana 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