Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $29.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Richmond, VA runs $29.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,891 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,139 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Richmond, Virginia, presents a competitive setting for elementary school teachers, with an hourly median pay of $29.76. This figure is notably 4.19% lower than the national hourly median of $31.06, which indicates a slight pay discrepancy for educators within the city's K-12 system. For teachers working part-time—perhaps three days a week in various educational settings including special education, after-school programs, and summer sessions—this translates to a predictable income while allowing flexibility. The reported hourly range showcases entry-level positions starting at $24.85, while experienced educators and specialists can command upwards of $40.28 per hour, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected for 2026.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.85 | $198.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.13 | $209.07 |
| Median (P50) | $29.76 | $238.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.46 | $251.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.28 | $322.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $29.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.76/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $61,898 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,711. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,190.35 | $5,158 | $61,898 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $714.21 | $3,095 | $37,139 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.14 | $2,063 | $24,759 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Richmond) | $29.76 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $61,891 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.19% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.10% above the Virginia state average of $61,829.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.76/hr = $37,139/year (purchasing power: $37,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,898/year (purchasing power: $63,253).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Richmond grew 9.6% from $26.90/hr (2019) to $29.47/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.05/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Considering the earning potential for part-time educators in Richmond, those working three days a week, averaging around 24 hours, may find their annual income significantly less than that of full-time counterparts. Per diem elementary school teacher pay in Richmond varies widely, with substitutes earning daily rates between $100 and $200, and long-term substitutes earning $140 to $250. For those engaged in tutoring, platforms such as Wyzant and Outschool can offer $30 to $80 per hour, while specialized test preparation tutors in higher-cost living areas might earn $80 to $200 per hour. The hourly rate can also fluctuate based on employer type; public school districts typically follow a structured pay scale, while charter schools may offer varying compensation levels. Those seeking benefits may choose lower-paying positions with health insurance, creating a trade-off in their earnings. For teachers negotiating their hourly rate, knowing the local market trends and understanding their value can be key strategies in achieving fair compensation in Richmond’s educational landscape.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Richmond in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Richmond?
Are elementary school teachers in Richmond paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Richmond?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Richmond?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Richmond. 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