Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Johnston, RI: $30.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Johnston, RI runs $30.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,778 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,668 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Johnston, Rhode Island, elementary school teachers can expect a median hourly pay of $30.18, slightly below the national median of $31.06. This translates into various working arrangements common in the education sector, particularly for part-time or per diem roles, which are often seen in K-12 classroom settings, special education environments, and after-school programs. The hourly pay for teachers in Johnston ranges from $24.53 for entry-level positions to $46.78 for more experienced educators, indicating a clear pathway for advancement driven by experience, pedagogical expertise, and additional certifications. These hourly figures are derived from the projected annual salary data for 2026, allowing for a better understanding of what potential educators can expect in terms of short-term and freelance opportunities.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.53 | $196.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.64 | $221.11 |
| Median (P50) | $30.18 | $241.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.39 | $307.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.78 | $374.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $30.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.18/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, RI can expect to earn approximately $62,780 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,220. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,207.32 | $5,232 | $62,780 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $724.39 | $3,139 | $37,668 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.93 | $2,093 | $25,112 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Johnston) | $30.18 |
| 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 Johnston, RI earn a median of $62,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $64,921.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.18/hr = $37,668/year (purchasing power: $37,481).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,780/year (purchasing power: $62,468).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Johnston grew 7.2% from $27.88/hr (2019) to $29.89/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.48/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
Part-time elementary school teachers working three days a week in Johnston, teaching around 24 hours, could take home a significantly lower annual pay compared to their full-time counterparts, impacting their overall financial sustainability. For those exploring per diem opportunities, the pay can widely vary: substitute teachers may earn between $100 and $200 daily, while long-term substitutes can command $140 to $250 per day. Additionally, educators providing tutoring services might earn $30 to $80 per hour through platforms like Wyzant or Outschool. These disparities highlight the differences in structure and compensation across various teaching roles in Johnston, from K-12 public school districts to charter schools. Many teachers may choose positions with lower hourly rates that come with benefits like health insurance, focusing on long-term stability over higher pay without benefits. Negotiation skills, particularly around hours and compensation structures, become vital for teachers looking to maximize their income while considering the intrinsic value of benefits in the overall compensation package.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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