Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in West Lafayette, IN: $28.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in West Lafayette, IN runs $28.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,233 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against West Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,538 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In West Lafayette, Indiana, the projected elementary school teacher hourly pay for 2026 is set at $28.48, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.06 for the same year. This hourly rate suggests that individuals teaching part-time, such as those working three days a week in traditional or special education settings, can expect to earn a modest income. For instance, educators opting for part-time roles might earn around $1,000 weekly, depending on their hours. The hourly range for elementary school teachers in West Lafayette extends from $22.56 at the 10th percentile to $44.14 for top earners at the 90th percentile. This range reflects the varying experiences and qualifications among teachers. These estimated hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, providing insight into potential earnings across various educational environments including K-12 classrooms, after-school programs, and professional development workshops.
About the West Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.56 | $180.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.27 | $210.20 |
| Median (P50) | $28.48 | $227.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.37 | $290.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.14 | $353.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Lafayette
Based on $28.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.48/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $59,231 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,172. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,139.05 | $4,936 | $59,231 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.43 | $2,962 | $35,538 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.62 | $1,974 | $23,692 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (West Lafayette) | $28.48 |
| 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 West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $59,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.30% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.40% below the Indiana state average of $60,074.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.48/hr = $35,538/year (purchasing power: $38,925).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,231/year (purchasing power: $64,875).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in West Lafayette grew 7.2% from $26.30/hr (2019) to $28.20/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.76/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 West 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 West Lafayette
For teachers considering part-time or per-diem positions, the earning potential varies significantly. A part-time elementary school teacher working 24 hours per week can expect to take home about $37,120 annually, compared to a full-time salary, which not only includes guaranteed income but also often provides benefits. In contrast, per-diem educators or substitute teachers typically earn between $100 and $200 daily, depending on their experience and the district’s pay scale. Those seeking tutoring gigs through platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors can earn between $30 and $80 per hour, yet competition in high-cost living markets keeps rates competitive. Furthermore, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the type of institution; public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions may each have distinct pay structures, often influenced by state licensure and the local cost of living. In West Lafayette, teachers may find that negotiating for a higher hourly rate can be beneficial, particularly in positions offering additional responsibilities or specialized skills. The choice between lower hourly wages with comprehensive benefits and higher compensation without support is a consideration many educators must evaluate.
More salary data for West 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 West 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
Salary data for West Lafayette 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