Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $29.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in St. Louis, MO runs $29.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,748 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $29.45 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.06. This rate affects part-time educators and per-diem workers in various settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education environments, or after-school tutoring programs. For those working part-time—say three days a week—this hourly rate offers a meaningful potential income given the local cost of living index, which is below the national average. Entry-level teachers in the area may start around $22.92 per hour, while more experienced teachers can earn up to $40.65 per hour. Such data comes from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating what educators in St. Louis can expect in terms of hourly compensation.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.92 | $183.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.00 | $192.02 |
| Median (P50) | $29.45 | $235.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.60 | $300.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.65 | $325.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $29.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.45/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $61,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,335. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.83 | $5,104 | $61,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.70 | $3,062 | $36,748 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.13 | $2,042 | $24,499 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (St. Louis) | $29.45 |
| 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 St. Louis, MO earn a median of $61,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 23.90% above the Missouri state average of $49,430.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.45/hr = $36,748/year (purchasing power: $38,647).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,247/year (purchasing power: $64,411).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in St. Louis grew 22.5% from $23.80/hr (2019) to $29.16/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.73/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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis
Part-time elementary school teachers in St. Louis might earn approximately $45,824 annually by working three days a week for a total of 24 hours, while those who pursue full-time positions could realize higher earnings and benefits. For example, per diem elementary school teacher pay in St. Louis can range significantly; substitute teachers may earn between $100 to $200 per day, with long-term substitutes potentially making $140 to $250 daily. On the other hand, tutoring opportunities through platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors often pay between $30 to $80 per hour, depending on the subject and expertise. Hourly rates also vary across different educational employers in St. Louis, including public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions. Teachers may choose between slightly lower hourly pay with benefits or a higher hourly rate without benefits, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration in negotiations, especially in a market where health insurance can be a significant deciding factor.
More salary data for St. Louis, 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 St. Louis. 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