Elementary School Teacher Salary in Benton, AR: $57,110 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Benton, AR earns a median $57,110/year (≈ $27.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $65,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, elementary school teachers can expect a median annual salary of $57,110 in 2026, which reflects local estimates derived from BLS data and regional price adjustments. The salary for this role spans from $42,698 at the 10th percentile to $88,521 at the 90th percentile. Teachers in Benton generally follow a step-and-lane pay structure, which rewards both years of service and educational attainment, including placements for master's and master's+30 degrees. Compared to the national median of $64,597, the elementary school teacher salary in Benton is about 11.59% lower, highlighting the regional economic factors that influence local compensation.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,698 | $20.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,990 | $24.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,296 | $34.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,521 | $42.56 |
Median Salary Position
11.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,823 (2026 est.). At $57,110, the local median is 11.59% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Benton median: $57,110/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $58,276 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -11.59% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Benton, AR earn a median of $57,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.59% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $58,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $57,110 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,719 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,754
2025 BLS Actual
$56,556
2026 Current Est.
$57,110
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,754 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,284 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,269 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,110 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $52,754 (2019) to $56,556 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,916 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $42,698 – $50,990 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,990 – $57,110 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,110 – $71,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,296 – $88,521 |
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 Benton
The job market for elementary school teachers in Benton comprises just five educators as of 2026, suggesting a relatively small educational workforce in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, take-home pay may not stretch as far in Benton as in higher-cost locales. School districts in Benton tend to pay variably based on educational attainment and experience, pushing salaries across a wide range. Teachers with advanced degrees, certifications, or those specializing in high-demand areas like special education or STEM can often command additional stipends or higher initial salaries. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Benton AR, pursuing advanced degrees, certifications like National Board Certification, and considering roles in specialized programs or summer school contracts can enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $56,556 for elementary school teachersin the Benton 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 Benton 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