Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Joplin, MO: $23.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Joplin, MO runs $23.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Joplin's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,552 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $23.68 in 2026, notably lower than the national median of $31.06. This disparity may impact potential candidates considering various work arrangements, such as those interested in per diem roles or part-time positions, which typically consist of working three days a week. The salary range for teachers in Joplin goes from $19.44 at the lower end to $33.34 for the top earners, reflecting significant variability depending on experience and educational qualifications. This official data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, encompasses various work settings, including K-12 classrooms, special education, after-school tutoring sessions, and summer programs, providing a comprehensive view of what educators might expect financially in this region.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.44 | $155.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.48 | $179.83 |
| Median (P50) | $23.68 | $189.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.82 | $230.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.34 | $266.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joplin
Based on $23.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.68/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joplin, MO can expect to earn approximately $49,254 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,416. With a cost-of-living index of 85.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joplin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joplin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $947.19 | $4,105 | $49,254 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $568.32 | $2,463 | $29,552 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.88 | $1,642 | $19,702 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Joplin) | $23.68 |
| 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 Joplin, MO earn a median of $49,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.76% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.40% below the Missouri state average of $49,446.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.68/hr = $29,552/year (purchasing power: $34,476).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,254/year (purchasing power: $57,461).
CoL index: 85.718 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Joplin grew 17.9% from $19.89/hr (2019) to $23.45/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.91/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 Joplin 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 Joplin
For teachers contemplating part-time employment, working roughly 24 hours a week translates to an annual income that can still be significant but varies widely compared to full-time positions. While a full-time teacher may secure a stable salary, part-timers will find their earnings depend heavily on the number of hours and days they choose to work. In Joplin, a per diem elementary school teacher pays can come from substituting at $100 to $200 per day, while long-term substitutes may earn even more per assignment, depending on the district. Tutoring opportunities also present an avenue for increased income, with platforms offering $30 to $80 per hour. The nature of teaching varies with employer type; for instance, public school districts may provide different benefits compared to private or charter institutions. As teachers weigh lower hourly rates against the security of health insurance, knowing local hiring dynamics and negotiating pay effectively becomes crucial for maximizing their earning potential in Joplin, MO.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 Joplin. 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