Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $29.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $29.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,386 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,232 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the median hourly pay for elementary school teachers stands at $29.03, which is slightly below the national median of $31.06. This figure is significant for teachers working part-time or on a per diem basis, as it shapes their earning potential in various educational settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and after-school programs. With an hourly range extending from $22.97 at entry-level positions to $38.56 for the top earners, teachers in Fort Wayne experience a diverse spectrum of compensation. These statistics are derived from official BLS OEWS data, reflecting the economic landscape that influences educators in the region.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.97 | $183.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.91 | $191.30 |
| Median (P50) | $29.03 | $232.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.47 | $283.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.56 | $308.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $29.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.03/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $60,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,838. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,161.27 | $5,032 | $60,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $696.76 | $3,019 | $36,232 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.51 | $2,013 | $24,154 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Fort Wayne) | $29.03 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $60,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.52% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.50% above the Indiana state average of $60,086.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.03/hr = $36,232/year (purchasing power: $39,139).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,386/year (purchasing power: $65,231).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Fort Wayne grew 19.8% from $24.00/hr (2019) to $28.75/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.32/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Given the hourly rate, a part-time elementary school teacher in Fort Wayne working three days a week (approximately 24 hours over three days) could earn about $36,000 annually. This contrasts with full-time positions, which offer a more stable income yet may not appeal to everyone due to the demands of the role. For those interested in the per diem elementary school teacher pay in Fort Wayne, daily rates for substitutes can range from $100 to $250, with long-term substitutes earning even more. Teachers working for various employers—public school districts, charter networks, or private institutions—may find differing compensation structures. Some choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others opt for higher rates that lack such perks. For educators negotiating pay, understanding the local market, including the impact of education level and experience, can be essential in maximizing their earning potential within this framework.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
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 Fort Wayne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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