Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $28.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Lafayette, IN runs $28.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,106 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at $28.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.06 per hour. This discrepancy reflects regional economic factors as well as local budgetary allocations for education. For part-time teachers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into approximately $35,000 annually, which may be supplemented by additional per-diem work or tutoring opportunities. The hourly range for elementary school teachers in Lafayette ranges from $24.33 at the entry-level to $37.49 for those at the top of their profession. Official figures from the BLS, projected for 2026, highlight the competitive nature of teaching salaries within various settings such as K-12 classrooms, specialized environments, and after-school programs.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.33 | $194.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.64 | $197.11 |
| Median (P50) | $28.93 | $231.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.93 | $255.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.49 | $299.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $28.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.93/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $60,176 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,717. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.23 | $5,015 | $60,176 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.34 | $3,009 | $36,106 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.89 | $2,006 | $24,070 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Lafayette) | $28.93 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $60,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.85% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.20% above the Indiana state average of $60,054.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.93/hr = $36,106/year (purchasing power: $38,645).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,176/year (purchasing power: $64,408).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lafayette grew 26.0% from $22.75/hr (2019) to $28.65/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.21/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
When considering the realities of part-time and per-diem employment, teachers may find various income potentials. A part-time educator working 24 hours per week can earn approximately $35,000 a year, while substitutes often earn daily rates from $100 to $250, depending on the length and type of assignment. Agency or per diem work allows for flexibility, with local tutoring platforms offering $30 to $80 per hour for direct-pay sessions, sometimes reaching up to $200 per hour for specialized test preparation. Additionally, teachers in Lafayette may experience variation in hourly pay across different institutions—public school districts may follow standardized pay scales, while charter and private schools often have more flexibility. Some educators may accept lower hourly rates for the benefits associated with full-time positions, such as health insurance, over higher pay with less security. Negotiating effectively is key in this market; candidates should emphasize specialty skills and local demand trends to secure a favorable compensation package.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 Lafayette. 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, 4-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