Elementary School Teacher Salary in Surprise, AZ: $48,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Surprise, AZ earns a median $48,345/year (≈ $23.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $49,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Surprise, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $48,345. This figure highlights a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $64,597, reflecting a salary that is approximately 25.16% lower than the national average. The local salary range stretches from $36,691 at the 10th percentile to $74,935 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and qualifications. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, expose the local compensation context, particularly important in an area where the cost of living index sits at 98.5, suggesting that affordability may influence overall teacher satisfaction and retention rates within the district.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,691 | $17.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,701 | $21.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,345 | $23.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,882 | $29.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,935 | $36.03 |
Median Salary Position
25.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,244 (2026 est.). At $48,345, the local median is 25.16% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Surprise median: $48,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $48,442 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -25.16% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $48,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.16% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $48,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $48,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,081 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,658
2025 BLS Actual
$47,876
2026 Current Est.
$48,345
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,658 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,007 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,876 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,819 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $44,658 (2019) to $47,876 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,819 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,161 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $36,691 – $43,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,701 – $48,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,345 – $61,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,882 – $74,935 |
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 Surprise
With 31 elementary school teachers active in Surprise, the local job market reflects a modest presence, yet it is coupled with strategic opportunities for maximizing compensation. Despite a lower cost of living, the earning potential remains affected by factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale, which aligns salary increases with years of experience and educational attainment. To enhance their earnings, teachers might consider working in schools that offer higher salaries, such as charter school networks like KIPP, or those in areas identified as shortage fields—special education and STEM—which could provide additional stipends. Engaging in summer school contracts or seeking advanced certifications can also lead to increased pay. Ultimately, understanding the local market dynamics, including employer variations in pay structures, is essential for educators to negotiate their worth in Surprise, AZ.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
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 $47,876 for elementary school teachersin the Surprise 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
Salary data for Surprise 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