Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $35.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Chester, PA runs $35.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,889 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at a competitive $35.97, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $31.06. This higher pay reflects the cost of living adjustments and local demands for educational staff. For part-time instructors working approximately three days a week, this equates to potential earnings of around $1,150 per month, depending on the actual hours worked. For per-diem workers filling in at various school settings—like K-12 classrooms, summer tutoring programs, or after-school enrichment sessions—hourly rates can vary widely. The estimated hourly pay ranges from $29.19 for entry-level positions to $55.36 for the most experienced educators, underscoring the varied landscape of opportunities within the Chester education system.
About the Chester 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) | $29.19 | $233.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.70 | $269.58 |
| Median (P50) | $35.97 | $287.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.32 | $354.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.36 | $442.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $35.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.97/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $74,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,163. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,438.76 | $6,235 | $74,816 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $863.26 | $3,741 | $44,889 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $575.51 | $2,494 | $29,926 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Chester) | $35.97 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $74,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.81% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $77,446.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.97/hr = $44,889/year (purchasing power: $46,088).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,816/year (purchasing power: $76,813).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Chester grew 7.2% from $33.23/hr (2019) to $35.62/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.32/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 Chester 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 Chester
Teachers who choose to work part-time in Chester can expect to earn considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts due to the nature of hourly work. A typical 24-hour work week spread over three days could yield around $27,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time earnings. Alternatively, per-diem teachers have the flexibility to capitalize on agency roles or substitute positions, often earning between $100 and $200 per day for public district work, reaching up to $250 for long-term assignments. Tutoring can further diversify earnings, with rates from $30 to $80 for specialized lessons. The teaching environment across Chester varies considerably, with public, charter, and private institutions offering distinct packages. Those in search of a stable income may lean toward traditional public school benefits, while others might seek flexible hours even at the cost of higher hourly wages. For effective negotiation, understanding pay structures and benefits tailored to specific employment types—like health insurance or retirement plans—can provide a substantial edge in Chester's competitive educational marketplace.
More salary data for Chester, 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 Chester. 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 Chester 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