Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Altoona, PA: $30.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Altoona, PA runs $30.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,527 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Altoona's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,517 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Teaching in Altoona, Pennsylvania, offers an elementary school teacher hourly pay of $30.06, which is slightly below the national median of $31.06 per hour. This rate reflects the investment educators make in K-12 classrooms, whether they are in public school settings, special education, or tutoring roles. For teachers opting for part-time positions, the hourly rate allows for flexible arrangements such as working three days a week, enabling a balance between professional responsibilities and personal commitments. The hourly pay range for elementary school teachers in the area spans from $23.89 at the 10th percentile to $39.08 for the top earners, illustrating the potential for growth based on experience and specialized skills. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a clear insight into the financial landscape for educators in Altoona.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.89 | $191.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.24 | $225.95 |
| Median (P50) | $30.06 | $240.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.87 | $286.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.08 | $312.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altoona
Based on $30.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.06/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altoona, PA can expect to earn approximately $62,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,074. With a cost-of-living index of 89.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altoona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altoona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.47 | $5,211 | $62,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.48 | $3,126 | $37,517 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.99 | $2,084 | $25,011 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Altoona) | $30.06 |
| 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 Altoona, PA earn a median of $62,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.20% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 19.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $77,385.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.06/hr = $37,517/year (purchasing power: $41,915).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,528/year (purchasing power: $69,859).
CoL index: 89.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Altoona grew 11.9% from $26.60/hr (2019) to $29.77/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.36/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 Altoona 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 Altoona
Part-time elementary school teachers in Altoona, working a typical three-day week, could earn an income significantly lower than full-time counterparts. For example, a teacher working 24 hours per week would take home a fraction of the annual salary that full-time teachers earn, demonstrating the trade-offs involved. Moreover, substitute teaching presents varied pay opportunities, with per diem elementary school teacher pay in Altoona ranging from about $100 to $200 per day for short-term assignments, while long-term substitutes may see daily rates between $140 and $250. Alternative platforms for tutoring might offer between $30 and $80 per hour, allowing some flexibility that traditional teaching roles may not provide. This variability highlights how hourly rates can differ significantly depending on the employer, be it public, charter, or private educational institutions. Furthermore, many teachers trade higher hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, which is particularly vital in a region where many educators struggle to make ends meet. Thus, negotiating for the right balance of hourly pay and benefits becomes crucial for those serving in Altoona’s educational environment.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 Altoona. 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