Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $28.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Topeka, KS runs $28.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,715 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teachers in Topeka, Kansas, earn a median hourly rate of $28.62 as of 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.06, indicating a variance that can impact the overall earning power for educators in the area. For part-time teachers working three days a week, especially in K-12 classroom settings or special education environments, this rate translates to a salary that can be both stable and limiting, depending on the hours worked. The hourly range starts at $23.73 for entry-level positions and can go up to $29.85 for seasoned educators. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlights not only the earning potential but also the diversity of employment situations available to teachers, including roles in summer tutoring programs and professional development workshops.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.73 | $189.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.37 | $194.93 |
| Median (P50) | $28.62 | $228.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.61 | $236.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.85 | $238.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $28.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.62/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $59,525 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,341. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,144.71 | $4,960 | $59,525 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.83 | $2,976 | $35,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.88 | $1,984 | $23,810 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Topeka) | $28.62 |
| 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 Topeka, KS earn a median of $59,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.85% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.40% above the Kansas state average of $58,706.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.62/hr = $35,715/year (purchasing power: $40,210).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,525/year (purchasing power: $67,017).
CoL index: 88.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Topeka grew 25.8% from $22.52/hr (2019) to $28.34/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.90/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 Topeka 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 Topeka
Focusing on the earning potential, a part-time elementary school teacher in Topeka working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $35,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Substitute teaching offers flexible pathways; per diem elementary school teacher pay in Topeka typically ranges from $100 to $200 daily, while long-term substitutes might earn as much as $140 to $250 per day. Tutoring platforms present yet another opportunity, with earnings ranging from $30 to $80 per hour. However, hourly pay can differ substantially depending on the type of employer—public school districts may offer more stability and benefits, while charter and private schools might provide higher rates but limited benefits. Teachers often weigh the trade-offs between hourly pay and health insurance options, leading some to pursue higher-paying roles that lack benefits. For educators navigating salary negotiations in Topeka, having a clear understanding of the local market and employer types can provide critical leverage in aiming for better compensation.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
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 Topeka. 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