Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $28.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Wausau, WI runs $28.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,083 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,055 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to be $28.89 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $31.06. This figure reflects the wages available to teachers who typically work in K-12 classroom instruction, including both regular and special education settings. Part-time educators working three days a week, for instance, would earn approximately $23,405 annually if they complete around 24 hours of teaching weekly. The hourly pay for teachers in Wausau ranges from $23.57 at the entry-level to $38.08 for more experienced professionals, emphasizing a pay scale that allows for upward mobility based on experience and accredited qualifications. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.57 | $188.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.91 | $191.30 |
| Median (P50) | $28.89 | $231.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.30 | $290.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.08 | $304.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $28.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.89/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $60,092 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,668. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,155.62 | $5,008 | $60,092 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.37 | $3,005 | $36,055 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.25 | $2,003 | $24,037 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Wausau) | $28.89 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $60,083 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.99% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,184.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.89/hr = $36,055/year (purchasing power: $38,915).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,092/year (purchasing power: $64,858).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Wausau grew 9.4% from $26.16/hr (2019) to $28.61/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.17/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
For part-time teachers in Wausau, the earning potential can fluctuate significantly compared to full-time positions. Those working three days a week may find themselves taking home around $23,405 annually, which starkly contrasts with full-time teachers who enjoy stability and benefits that contribute to a more comprehensive compensation package. Furthermore, per diem elementary school teacher pay in Wausau reflects a diverse market where substitutes earn $100 to $250 per day, and private tutors can command rates of $30 to $200 an hour depending on the service offered. Compensation can vary by employer; K-12 public school districts typically follow a structured step-and-lane pay scale, while private schools and charter networks may offer more flexibility but less consistent pay. Teachers often weigh the decision of accepting lower hourly rates with health benefits against higher pay without those protections. Practical negotiation strategies are essential for hourly workers in Wausau, particularly as they consider the trade-offs between different school environments and the long-term benefits of secure employment.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
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 Wausau. 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