Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $39.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Portland, OR runs $39.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,137 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,880 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Portland, Oregon, elementary school teachers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $39.97 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $31.06. This favorable hourly pay reflects the city's higher cost of living, which is slightly above the national average. For part-time educators working three days a week in environments such as K-12 classrooms, special education settings, or after-school programs, the attractive hourly rate can make a substantial difference. The hourly wage range for elementary school teachers in Portland spans from $24.41 for entry-level positions to $52.26 for experienced educators or those in high-demand specialties. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggest competitive compensation that can appeal to a range of educational roles and settings across the city.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.41 | $195.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.79 | $246.31 |
| Median (P50) | $39.97 | $319.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.62 | $404.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.26 | $418.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $39.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.97/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $83,133 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,961. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,598.72 | $6,928 | $83,133 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $959.23 | $4,157 | $49,880 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $639.49 | $2,771 | $33,253 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Portland) | $39.97 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $83,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.70% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 10.50% above the Oregon state average of $75,237.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.97/hr = $49,880/year (purchasing power: $47,315).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,133/year (purchasing power: $78,858).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Portland grew 11.8% from $35.40/hr (2019) to $39.58/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.36/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 Portland 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 Portland
When considering part-time opportunities, a 24-hour workweek can result in significant annual earnings compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, a teacher working three days a week might see a take-home pay that still aligns well with full-time roles, particularly in higher-paying environments such as charter schools or private institutions. For those seeking temporary or per diem roles, the reality is compelling; substitute teachers in Portland typically earn between $100 and $200 per day, with long-term substitutes potentially making up to $250 daily. Tutoring platforms provide further avenues for increased earnings, with rates often ranging from $30 to $80 per hour. However, the flexibility of these roles often comes with trade-offs, as many teachers may opt for positions with lower hourly rates that include health benefits. Understanding the variances in pay across different employer types, as well as effective negotiation tactics, can empower educators to make informed choices in the competitive educational climate of Portland, Oregon.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 Portland. 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