Elementary School Teacher Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $63,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $63,547/year (≈ $30.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $62,838 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is set at $63,547, positioning it slightly below the national figure of $64,597. The salary range for this occupation varies from $53,227 at the 10th percentile to $97,213 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied experience and qualifications within the profession. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026 and indicate a competitive landscape for educators in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area. Salaries in Fort Collins mirror the challenges and opportunities presented by local economic factors, suggesting that the compensation structure is designed to attract and retain talent despite the elevated living expenses associated with this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,227 | $25.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,688 | $30.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,547 | $30.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,643 | $38.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,213 | $46.73 |
Median Salary Position
1.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,986 (2026 est.). At $63,547, the local median is 1.63% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fort Collins Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $63,547/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,608 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -1.63% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $63,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.63% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% above the Colorado state average of $62,608.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,547 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,838 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,020
2025 BLS Actual
$62,930
2026 Current Est.
$63,547
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,169 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 21.0% from $52,020 (2019) to $62,930 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,169 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,149 (23.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $53,227 – $62,688 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,688 – $63,547 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,547 – $80,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,643 – $97,213 |
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 Fort Collins
The local job market for elementary school teachers is robust, with approximately 1,370 educators employed in Fort Collins. However, the cost-of-living index of 101.128 means that take-home pay may be stretched thin, impacting purchasing power. Teachers in public school districts often find the most lucrative opportunities, especially in districts that compensate for specialization in high-demand areas like STEM and special education, which can lead to additional stipends. The spread between higher and lower salaries within the district often relates to the established step-and-lane pay scale, whereby years of experience and educational attainment directly influence earnings. Maximizing compensation may involve pursuing National Board Certification or seeking out summer and after-school contracts, which are prevalent in Fort Collins. Understanding the intricacies of local hiring trends alongside the economic realities will better equip educators looking to boost their earnings in this region.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $62,930 for elementary school teachersin the Fort Collins 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