Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $28.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in South Bend, IN runs $28.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,750 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,249 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In South Bend, Indiana, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $28.24 in 2026, which positions it below the national hourly median of $31.06. This lower rate suggests some challenges for those in part-time or per-diem roles within various educational settings, such as K-12 classrooms, special education, and after-school programs. The hourly compensation can vary widely from $23.13 for entry-level teachers to up to $37.33 for those in top earning positions. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates a need for prospective educators to understand how their hourly rate might impact their overall financial stability, particularly if they are exploring work in tutoring environments or summer school programs.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.13 | $185.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.78 | $190.25 |
| Median (P50) | $28.24 | $225.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.28 | $242.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.33 | $298.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $28.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.24/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $58,748 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,893. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,129.76 | $4,896 | $58,748 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $677.86 | $2,937 | $35,249 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $451.91 | $1,958 | $23,499 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (South Bend) | $28.24 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $58,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.05% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.20% below the Indiana state average of $60,072.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.24/hr = $35,249/year (purchasing power: $37,960).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,748/year (purchasing power: $63,266).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in South Bend grew 24.9% from $22.40/hr (2019) to $27.97/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.52/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
For educators considering part-time employment, working three days a week (equating to around 24 hours) results in a significant disparity in annual earnings compared to full-time teachers. While full-time educators can expect a stable income, part-time educators may only take home around $34,000 per year, significantly less than their full-time colleagues. The per diem elementary school teacher pay in South Bend often varies significantly, with substitutes earning between $100 and $250 a day depending on the district and their level of experience. Additionally, specialties like tutoring can yield higher rates, with private SAT/ACT preparation sessions reaching $80-$200 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets. Teachers must also weigh factors like health benefits; while some may choose lower hourly rates for the security of insurance, others might prefer to negotiate for higher pay exclusive of benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower educators in South Bend to make informed career choices.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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