Elementary School Teacher Salary in Florence, AL: $61,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Florence, AL earns a median $61,174/year (≈ $29.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 84.8), that paycheck buys what $72,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, elementary school teacher salary in Florence, AL, is projected to reach a median of $61,174. This figure is slightly below the national average of $64,597, reflecting the unique employment landscape in the region. The salary range for educators varies widely, from $46,077 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $74,261 (P90). To attract talent in areas with shortages, specific stipends for roles in special education, STEM, and bilingual education can enhance base pay, often adding a meaningful boost to overall compensation. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these insights illustrate how the Florence job market responds to educational demands and economic considerations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,077 | $22.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,733 | $23.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,174 | $29.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,263 | $31.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,261 | $35.71 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,184 (2026 est.). At $61,174, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Florence median: $61,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $61,543 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -5.30% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Florence, AL earn a median of $61,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.60% below the Alabama state average of $61,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 15.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AL has a cost-of-living index of 84.817 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $61,174 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,320
2025 BLS Actual
$60,580
2026 Current Est.
$61,174
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 13.6% from $53,320 (2019) to $60,580 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,453 (15.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,077 – $49,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,733 – $61,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,174 – $65,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,263 – $74,261 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Florence
The educational job market in Florence presents strong demand for elementary school teachers, albeit within a cost-of-living context that remains below the national average, with a CoL index of 84.817. This lower index can make the take-home purchasing power more manageable for teachers, despite the overall pay being less competitive compared to national figures. Public school districts typically follow a structured salary scale based on experience and education level, affecting wage variability. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts often offer the most stable pay, while charter schools may vary significantly, with some paying below the district scale. Teachers who are willing to pursue advanced degrees or certifications, such as National Board Certification, may also unlock higher salary potentials. Maximizing earning potential in Florence often involves strategically seeking positions that include additional stipends for specialized roles or additional responsibilities, which can make a significant difference over the course of a teaching career.
More salary data for Florence, AL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,580 for elementary school teachersin the Florence metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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