Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $23.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $23.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,872 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the hourly pay for elementary school teachers is projected to be $23.13 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap compared to the national hourly median of $31.06. This disparity means part-time educators, such as those working three days a week across various settings like K-12 classrooms and after-school programs, will find their earnings limited despite the essential services they provide. The hourly range for teachers in Hattiesburg spans from $22.50 at the entry level to $29.04 for top earners, illustrating that while the starting pay may feel modest, there is potential for growth with experience and specialization. With official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data backing these figures, they serve as a firm foundation for understanding the financial landscape facing educators in this region.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.50 | $179.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.04 | $184.35 |
| Median (P50) | $23.13 | $185.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.00 | $224.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.04 | $232.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $23.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.13/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $48,120 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,761. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $925.38 | $4,010 | $48,120 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $555.23 | $2,406 | $28,872 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.15 | $1,604 | $19,248 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Hattiesburg) | $23.13 |
| 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 Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $48,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.51% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 13.10% below the Mississippi state average of $55,371.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.13/hr = $28,872/year (purchasing power: $32,946).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,120/year (purchasing power: $54,911).
CoL index: 87.633 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Hattiesburg grew 8.0% from $21.21/hr (2019) to $22.91/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.36/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
When considering part-time opportunities, a teacher working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $28,080 annually, a significant contrast to full-time teachers who would earn much more over the year. The per diem elementary school teacher pay in Hattiesburg can vary, with substitute teachers earning between $100-$200 daily at public schools and long-term substitutes ranging from $140-$250 per day. Tutoring roles, particularly through platforms like Wyzant or Outschool, can offer rates between $30 and $80 per hour, providing avenues for educators to supplement their income. Hourly pay rates differ greatly across employer types; K-12 public districts typically follow a step-and-lane scale, while charter schools may offer flexible but potentially lower pay structures. Despite lower hourly offers in some cases, many educators in Hattiesburg accept these positions for the benefits of health insurance and job security. When negotiating pay, teachers should emphasize their certifications and experience, especially in higher-demand areas like special education or STEM, to enhance their overall earning potential.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 Hattiesburg. 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, 6-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