Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $28.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Portsmouth, VA runs $28.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,799 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,879 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected at $28.75 for 2026, which is lower than the national median of $31.06. This discrepancy emphasizes the realities for teachers working part-time or in per-diem positions across diverse educational environments, such as K-12 classrooms, special education settings, and after-school programs. Within the city, hourly rates range from $21.74 for entry-level teachers to $44.56 for those at the top of the pay scale. Given that these rates are estimated from annual salary data, potential applicants should consider how Portsmouth’s cost of living index of 103.2 could impact their overall financial well-being compared to national averages.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.74 | $173.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.88 | $207.05 |
| Median (P50) | $28.75 | $229.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.42 | $291.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.56 | $356.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $28.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.75/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $59,798 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,499. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,149.96 | $4,983 | $59,798 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.98 | $2,990 | $35,879 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.98 | $1,993 | $23,919 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Portsmouth) | $28.75 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $59,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.43% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $61,776.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.75/hr = $35,879/year (purchasing power: $34,766).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,798/year (purchasing power: $57,944).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Portsmouth grew 7.2% from $26.56/hr (2019) to $28.47/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.03/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
For part-time educators working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, the annual income would be substantially less than that of full-time teachers, making effective budgeting essential. Per-diem or agency teachers in Portsmouth often earn between $100 and $250 per day, while tutoring platforms can offer rates as high as $80 per hour, providing opportunities for additional income. Pay varies significantly based on the employer type; public school districts, private institutions, and charter schools each adopt different compensation strategies. While some may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits like health insurance, others may find higher pay without health coverage appealing. For those pursuing hourly opportunities, negotiating for a higher rate may be crucial, especially given the competitive environment that includes various teacher support organizations like the NEA and AFT advocating for educators' rights and pay equity.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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