Elementary School Teacher Salary in Gadsden, AL: $58,457 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Gadsden, AL earns a median $58,457/year (≈ $28.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $68,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Gadsden, AL, is projected to be $58,457. This salary offers a considerable variance, with the lowest earners making about $44,391 and the highest reaching up to $69,565. According to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, Gadsden's educational landscape reflects a local demand for qualified teachers, particularly in special education, STEM, and bilingual programs. Shortage stipends in these areas can enhance base pay significantly, helping to make compensation more competitive in a still-evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,391 | $21.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,814 | $22.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,457 | $28.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,254 | $29.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,565 | $33.44 |
Median Salary Position
9.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,174 (2026 est.). At $58,457, the local median is 9.51% below the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be above the median
How Gadsden Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $58,457/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $61,534 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -9.51% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $58,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.51% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.00% below the Alabama state average of $61,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $58,457 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,999
2025 BLS Actual
$57,890
2026 Current Est.
$58,457
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,999 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,457 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $53,999 (2019) to $57,890 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,031 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $44,391 – $46,814 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,814 – $58,457 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,457 – $61,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,254 – $69,565 |
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 Gadsden
The job outlook for elementary school teachers in Gadsden indicates a modest annual growth rate of 0.98%, suggesting a steady demand for educators in the region. Gadsden's cost of living, indexed at 85.653, indicates that salaries stretch further than they might in higher-cost districts, providing a more favorable take-home purchasing power. Among potential employers, public K-12 school districts typically offer more structured raises through a step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education level, while charter networks may provide unique opportunities but can vary significantly in pay. Those seeking to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Gadsden should consider the potential for stipends specific to high-need teaching areas, pursuing advanced degrees, and actively seeking summer contracts or tutoring positions, which can enhance overall earnings in this local educational setting.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 $57,890 for elementary school teachersin the Gadsden 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, 5-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