Elementary School Teacher Salary in Durango, CO: $58,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Durango, CO earns a median $58,665/year (≈ $28.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Durango's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $55,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Durango, Colorado, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $58,665, which reflects the city's higher cost of living. This amount sits below the national median of $64,597, indicating a notable wage gap that may influence job competitiveness and satisfaction in the area. Salaries for teachers in Durango fall within a range from $49,198 for the lowest earners to $90,931 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account local economic conditions, which include the cost of living index of 105, suggesting that teachers must navigate effectively to maximize their compensation within this high-cost district.
About the Durango Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,198 | $23.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,885 | $26.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,665 | $28.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,200 | $34.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,931 | $43.71 |
Median Salary Position
9.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durango
In Durango, CO, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,733 (2026 est.). At $58,665, the local median is 9.18% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durango: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Durango Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Durango median: $58,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durango Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,610 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -9.18% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Durango, CO earn a median of $58,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.18% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $62,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durango has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durango, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,665 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,871 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,191
2025 BLS Actual
$58,096
2026 Current Est.
$58,665
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,344 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,762 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,025 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,952 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,240 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durango metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $54,191 (2019) to $58,096 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,240 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,049 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durango 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) | $49,198 – $55,885 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,885 – $58,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,665 – $71,200 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,200 – $90,931 |
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 Durango
In the local job market, there are currently five elementary school teachers employed, indicating a relatively small but stable workforce. The slightly elevated cost of living, represented by the index of 105, can impact the purchasing power of educators, making it essential to consider their net income after expenses. In Durango, larger K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries compared to charter schools and private institutions. Teachers looking to increase their earnings should consider pursuing advanced degrees, such as a master's or National Board Certification, which can lead to higher pay brackets within the step-and-lane pay scale common in public education. Moreover, opportunities for stipends in hard-to-fill positions, such as special education or STEM roles, and contracts for summer school or after-school tutoring can contribute significantly to overall compensation for educators in Durango.
More salary data for Durango, CO:
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 $58,096 for elementary school teachersin the Durango 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 Durango 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