Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $29.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Iowa City, IA runs $29.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,467 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,874 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $29.55, which is slightly below the national median of $31.06. This hourly rate reflects the compensation landscape for educators working in various settings, including K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and after-school programs. For those considering part-time employment, a teacher working three days a week typically focuses on a range of responsibilities from standard lesson delivery to tutoring. The spread of hourly wages can also vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $23.12 and top earners reaching $38.06 per hour, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This data encapsulates the dynamic field of elementary education in Iowa City, where teachers often negotiate their pay based on experience, specialization, and the specific educational institution or district they are part of.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.12 | $185.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.84 | $190.73 |
| Median (P50) | $29.55 | $236.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.20 | $281.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.06 | $304.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $29.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.55/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $61,457 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,456. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,181.87 | $5,121 | $61,457 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $709.12 | $3,073 | $36,874 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.75 | $2,049 | $24,583 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Iowa City) | $29.55 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $61,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.85% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.10% below the Iowa state average of $62,150.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.55/hr = $36,874/year (purchasing power: $40,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,457/year (purchasing power: $67,160).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Iowa City grew 16.3% from $25.16/hr (2019) to $29.26/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.84/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
A part-time elementary school teacher working just three days a week can expect to take home roughly $38,970 annually, significantly less than a full-time teacher. Among the various opportunities in Iowa City, per diem elementary school teacher pay can vary widely; substitutes typically earn $100-$200 per day, with long-term substitutes earning between $140-$250 daily. Additionally, tutors can find lucrative opportunities through online platforms, earning $30-$80 per hour. The pay rates can differ markedly across different employer types in Iowa City, including public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions, reflecting the varying budgets and financial structures of these educational entities. It’s crucial for educators to consider the benefits that come with certain positions, opting for lower hourly rates that include health insurance over higher pay that does not, leading many to make strategic employment choices. For those in this profession, understanding the context and local market trends can aid in effective salary negotiations, ensuring that they maximize their earning potential in a market that is nuanced and competitive.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Iowa City in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Iowa City?
Are elementary school teachers in Iowa City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Iowa City?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Iowa City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Iowa City. 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