Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $23.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Great Falls, MT runs $23.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,275 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Great Falls, Montana, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $23.46 in 2026, notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.06. This gap positions Great Falls teachers significantly beneath the national average, reflecting local budget constraints and funding priorities. With a salary range extending from $18.44 at the 10th percentile to $36.66 at the 90th percentile, the lower tiers often reflect entry-level or part-time teachers who may only work three days a week in K-12 settings, including regular classrooms, special education environments, or after-school tutoring programs. For those exploring per diem opportunities, transitional roles on a flexible schedule can provide options within various educational contexts, such as summer school and professional development training sessions.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.44 | $147.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.55 | $180.39 |
| Median (P50) | $23.46 | $187.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.16 | $241.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.66 | $293.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $23.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.46/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $48,792 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,149. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $938.31 | $4,066 | $48,792 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $562.98 | $2,440 | $29,275 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $375.32 | $1,626 | $19,517 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Great Falls) | $23.46 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $48,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.46% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 17.00% below the Montana state average of $58,787.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.46/hr = $29,275/year (purchasing power: $30,229).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,792/year (purchasing power: $50,381).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Great Falls grew -1.4% from $23.56/hr (2019) to $23.23/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.69/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
When examining the earning potential for part-time educators in Great Falls at a 3-day work week, teachers could be looking at an annual take-home that is a fraction of what full-time peers earn. For instance, a teacher working approximately 24 hours per week would earn considerably less than a full-time educator, highlighting the economic challenge for those balancing multiple roles or seeking additional income through tutoring. Substitute teaching often presents an alternative; daily rates can fluctuate from $100-$200, depending on the district, while long-term substitutes may claim $140-$250 per day. However, private tutoring options operate within a broader range, with pay hovering between $30-$80 per hour based on the platform. Schools of varying types in Great Falls, including charter, private, and public institutions might offer different wage structures, further complicating the decision for educators who must balance hourly pay against the benefits of full-time positions, such as health insurance. Understanding these nuances can enable teachers to negotiate effectively, weighing the value of steady employment with benefits versus higher hourly pay without the security of a full-time contract.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 Great Falls. 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