Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Los Alamos, NM: $27.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Los Alamos, NM runs $27.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,204 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Los Alamos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,724 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Los Alamos, NM, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $27.02 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $31.06 per hour, reflecting regional economic factors. For those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, the hourly rate allows for flexibility in balancing personal and professional commitments. Per-diem positions, often found in traditional K-12 settings, special education, or tutoring environments, offer additional earning opportunities with varying hourly pay scales. In Los Alamos, hourly earnings range from $21.79 at the entry-level to as high as $41.89 for the most experienced educators, presenting a wide spectrum of earning potential for those in different teaching contexts.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.79 | $174.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.19 | $201.56 |
| Median (P50) | $27.02 | $216.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.86 | $270.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.89 | $335.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Alamos
Based on $27.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.02/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Alamos, NM can expect to earn approximately $56,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,427. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Alamos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Alamos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,080.89 | $4,684 | $56,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $648.53 | $2,810 | $33,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $432.36 | $1,874 | $22,483 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Los Alamos) | $27.02 |
| 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 Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $56,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $60,959.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.02/hr = $33,724/year (purchasing power: $35,724).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,206/year (purchasing power: $59,541).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Los Alamos grew 7.2% from $24.96/hr (2019) to $26.76/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.29/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 Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
Part-time teachers in Los Alamos who choose to work three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can anticipate an annual take-home of around $33,209. This is substantially less than their full-time counterparts but provides necessary income for those who prioritize flexibility. For per-diem or contract teaching roles, substitutes in public schools earn between $100 and $200 daily, while long-term substitutes see compensation of $140 to $250 per day, effectively translating to varying rates higher than typical classroom teaching pay. Moreover, specialized tutors may charge between $30 and $80 per hour, with private SAT or ACT tutors in high-cost-of-living markets fetching between $80 and $200. Hourly pay can differ across employer types; public school districts typically follow traditional pay structures based on experience, whereas charter schools may have more variable compensation. Teachers often need to weigh the benefits of full-time positions, which may include health insurance, against the allure of higher hourly pay without benefits. When negotiating pay, understanding the market and highlighting certifications or specialized skills can significantly improve compensation prospects in Los Alamos.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
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 Los Alamos. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Los Alamos is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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