Teacher Salary

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $24.43 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Lawrence, KS runs $24.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,485 per year.

$50,803
Median Annual Salary
$24.43/hr
Hourly Rate
$48,521
Entry Level (P10)
$61,113
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Rate in Lawrence, KS — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lawrence, KS elementary school teacher hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Lawrence, Kansas, the projected hourly pay for elementary school teachers stands at $24.43, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.06. This discrepancy highlights the challenges for part-time or per-diem workers in the region, particularly those engaged in various educational settings, including K-12 classrooms, special education, and after-school tutoring programs. For individuals working three days a week, this pay translates into a modest earnings potential, significantly different from full-time positions. The range of hourly wages extends from $23.33 at the entry-level to $29.39 for the higher earners in the profession, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Such figures are essential for prospective teachers considering their options in this competitive market.

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$23.33$186.61
Lower Range (P25)$23.49$187.90
Median (P50)$24.43$195.42
Upper Range (P75)$29.39$235.08
Top Earners (P90)$29.39$235.08

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence

Based on $24.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a elementary school teacher in Lawrence earning $24.43/hr would make approximately $29,312 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $50,808 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$29,312Reduced (32 hr/wk)$39,083Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$50,808

At $24.43/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, KS can expect to earn approximately $50,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,312. With a cost-of-living index of 90.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$195.42
per 8hr shift
$977.08
per week
$4,234
per month
$50,808
per year

Schedule Comparison in Lawrence

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$977.08$4,234$50,808
Part-Time (24 hrs)$586.25$2,540$30,485
Per Diem (16 hrs)$390.83$1,694$20,323

Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Elementary School Teacher (Lawrence)$24.43
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing elementary school teacher median salary in Lawrence ($50,803) with Kansas average ($58,732) and the US national median ($64,597).Lawrence$50,803Kansas Avg$58,732-13.50%US National$64,597-21.35%

Elementary School Teachers in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $50,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.35% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 13.50% below the Kansas state average of $58,732.

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $24.43/hr = $30,485/year (purchasing power: $33,781).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,808/year (purchasing power: $56,302).

CoL index: 90.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$23.35/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$24.19/hr

2026 Current Est.

$24.43/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+5.7%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lawrence (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for elementary school teachers in Lawrence. Baseline $23.35/hr in 2025, projected to $24.67/hr by 2027.$23$24$24$25$262019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$23.35$24.60$23.39$23.49$25.28$23.37$24.19$24.43$24.67
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$23.35/hrActual
2020$24.60/hrActual
2021$23.39/hrActual
2022$23.49/hrActual
2023$25.28/hrActual
2024$23.37/hrActual
2025$24.19/hrActual
2026(current)$24.43/hrEstimated
2027$24.67/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lawrence grew 3.6% from $23.35/hr (2019) to $24.19/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.67/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Lawrence

Understanding the local earnings dynamics provides valuable insights into potential income paths for educators. For example, a part-time teacher working 24 hours a week would bring home substantially less compared to a full-time counterpart, given the hourly structure. In contrast, per diem roles can offer greater daily rates, particularly for substitutes, who typically earn between $100 and $200 per day, while long-term substitutes command between $140 and $250 per day. Tutoring opportunities on platforms like Wyzant can yield even higher rates, ranging from $30 to $80 per hour, with specialized SAT and ACT prep tutors in high-cost living markets earning upwards of $80 to $200 per hour. Furthermore, hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the employer, whether it’s public school districts, charter schools, or private institutions. Many teachers might accept lower hourly wages for the benefits that come with full-time positions, like health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay without those advantages. As such, understanding these nuances can be crucial for effective salary negotiations within the education sector in Lawrence, KS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lawrence in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lawrence is $24.43/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 0.98% annual growth). Rates range from $23.33 at entry level (10th percentile) to $29.39 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 21.4% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Lawrence?

A part-time elementary school teacher working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Lawrence earns approximately $2,540/month, or $30,485/year at the median hourly rate of $24.43. Many elementary school teachers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are elementary school teachers in Lawrence paid hourly or salary?

The majority of elementary school teachers in Lawrence are paid hourly at a median rate of $24.43/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $50,808/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Lawrence?

A full-time elementary school teacher working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Lawrence earns approximately $50,808/year at the median hourly rate of $24.43. This is 21.4% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $61,121/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Lawrence?

Part-time and per diem elementary school teachers in Lawrence sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $29.39/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

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 Lawrence. 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

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