Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $28.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Urbandale, IA runs $28.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,627 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Urbandale, Iowa, elementary school teachers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $28.55, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.06. This disparity can impact those considering part-time roles, particularly those working three days a week, as they would earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Opportunities for part-time work can include positions across various educational settings, such as K-12 classroom instruction, special education, and after-school tutoring. The hourly pay range for teachers in the area can vary widely, from approximately $22.61 for entry-level positions to $44.25 for experienced educators or those in specialized roles. While these estimates are derived from annual salary figures, they reflect the realities of a profession where one’s earnings can fluctuate based on experience, certification, and the specific educational environment employed.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.61 | $180.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.36 | $210.85 |
| Median (P50) | $28.55 | $228.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.89 | $287.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.25 | $354.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $28.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.55/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $59,378 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,256. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,141.88 | $4,948 | $59,378 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.13 | $2,969 | $35,627 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.75 | $1,979 | $23,751 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Urbandale) | $28.55 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $59,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $62,172.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.55/hr = $35,627/year (purchasing power: $39,410).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,378/year (purchasing power: $65,683).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Urbandale grew 7.2% from $26.37/hr (2019) to $28.27/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.83/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
For those seeking part-time work, a 3-day teaching schedule typically yields an annual income well below that of full-time roles, often leading educators to explore per-diem positions or tutoring opportunities. Substitute teachers, for instance, often earn between $100 and $200 per day in local public districts, with long-term substitutes earning even more, between $140 and $250 daily. Tutoring platforms can provide additional income where educators might charge $30 to $80 an hour, with specialized services like SAT or ACT prep fetching $80 to $200 per hour in higher-cost markets. Hourly pay can fluctuate depending on the type of institution as well, as K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions may offer differing rates. Teachers might accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for benefits such as health insurance found in traditional jobs. Those negotiating salaries in Urbandale should consider factors like the local cost of living index, as well as the benefits tied to full-time employment, striving to balance financial needs with job satisfaction.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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