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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.67/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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 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.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Lawrence in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Lawrence?
Are elementary school teachers in Lawrence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Lawrence?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Lawrence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 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