Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Providence, RI: $42.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Providence, RI runs $42.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,570 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Providence's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.8, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,539 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teacher hourly pay in Providence, Rhode Island reaches a median of $42.10, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.06. This attractive rate reflects Providence’s relatively high cost of living and suggests a competitive advantage for teachers engaging in various educational roles, including K-12 classroom instruction, special education, lab settings, after-school tutoring, and summer programs. The hourly wage range spans from $24.31 for entry-level positions to $48.36 for top earners in the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating a robust job market for educators in this urban setting.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.31 | $194.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.46 | $243.64 |
| Median (P50) | $42.10 | $336.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.45 | $371.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.36 | $386.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Providence
Based on $42.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.10/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Providence, RI can expect to earn approximately $87,565 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,518. With a cost-of-living index of 101.77 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Providence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Providence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,683.94 | $7,297 | $87,565 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,010.37 | $4,378 | $52,539 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $673.58 | $2,919 | $35,026 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Providence) | $42.10 |
| 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 Providence, RI earn a median of $87,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.56% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 34.90% above the Rhode Island state average of $64,915.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.10/hr = $52,539/year (purchasing power: $51,624).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,565/year (purchasing power: $86,040).
CoL index: 101.773 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Providence grew 14.3% from $36.46/hr (2019) to $41.69/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.51/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 Providence 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 Providence
Considering the earning potential for part-time and per-diem work, educators in Providence can make informed decisions regarding their employment options. A part-time teacher working three days a week (24 hours) could take home approximately $52,926 annually, compared to full-time educators’ benefits. For per-diem roles, substitute teachers can earn between $100 and $200 daily, depending on the district, while long-term substitutes may command $140 to $250 per day. Tutoring options also vary widely, as popular platforms like Wyzant and Outschool offer pay rates of $30 to $80 per hour. While K-12 public schools often adhere to structured pay scales, charter schools, private institutions, and alternative education settings may present varying rates. Educators considering these positions must weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against the stability and health benefits offered in full-time roles. When negotiating pay, it’s beneficial to understand specific employer practices in Providence, as teacher preferences for compensation can greatly influence their opportunities in this diverse educational landscape.
More salary data for Providence, 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 Providence. 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