Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $39.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Bethlehem, PA runs $39.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,758 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,061 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at a robust $39.31, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.06. This competitive pay rate allows part-time instructors, such as those working three days a week, to earn a substantial income while balancing their professional and personal lives. Typical settings for these educators include K-12 classrooms, special education environments, and after-school tutoring programs, all of which benefit from skilled teachers. The hourly rate varies across experience levels, with entry-level positions earning around $29.42 and the highest earners making up to $60.92. These figures reflect estimates derived from annual salary data, showcasing the potential earnings for both full-time and part-time teachers in the Bethlehem area.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.42 | $235.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.24 | $281.94 |
| Median (P50) | $39.31 | $314.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.64 | $397.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.92 | $487.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $39.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.31/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $81,768 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,174. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,572.46 | $6,814 | $81,768 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $943.48 | $4,088 | $49,061 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $628.98 | $2,726 | $32,707 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Bethlehem) | $39.31 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $81,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.57% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 5.60% above the Pennsylvania state average of $77,423.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.31/hr = $49,061/year (purchasing power: $50,370).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,768/year (purchasing power: $83,951).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Bethlehem grew 7.2% from $36.31/hr (2019) to $38.93/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.70/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a teacher who works a 24-hour week, or three days, could realize an annual income of approximately $61,176, markedly less than full-time counterparts yet still reflective of a respectable salary for the region. The per diem elementary school teacher pay in Bethlehem can range drastically, with substitute teachers typically earning between $100 to $200 per day, while long-term substitutes receive slightly more, ranging from $140 to $250 per day. For those engaged in tutoring through various platforms, rates usually hover around $30 to $80 per hour, with private SAT or ACT prep tutors sometimes commanding $80 to $200 per hour in higher-cost living areas. The landscape of hourly pay can vary greatly depending on the employer type—ranging from public K-12 schools to charter schools and private institutions, each offering distinct benefits and compensation structures. In Bethlehem, educators may negotiate based on the benefits provided, weighing higher hourly rates in environments that lack health insurance against those that offer comprehensive packages, crucial for those entering full-time teaching roles. Understanding these variables can significantly impact career decisions and overall job satisfaction for educators in the area.
More salary data for Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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