Elementary School Teacher Salary in Golden, CO: $57,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Golden, CO earns a median $57,624/year (≈ $27.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Golden's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $54,880 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for an elementary school teacher in Golden, Colorado, sits at $57,624 annually, which reflects a notable difference of approximately 10.79% below the national median. Local salary estimates indicate a broad range from $46,529 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $89,318 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living considerations. Notably, teachers in Golden may receive additional stipends for roles in special education, STEM, or bilingual education, enhancing their total compensation and influencing the varied salary landscape. The need for qualified educators in these fields is critical, and such stipends can significantly boost baseline pay, creating an attractive option for those considering employment in the area.
About the Golden Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,529 | $22.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,632 | $25.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,624 | $27.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,125 | $34.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,318 | $42.94 |
Median Salary Position
10.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Golden
In Golden, CO, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,789 (2026 est.). At $57,624, the local median is 10.79% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Golden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Golden Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Golden median: $57,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Golden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,635 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -10.79% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Golden, CO earn a median of $57,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.79% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $62,635.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Golden has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Golden, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,624 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,880 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,229
2025 BLS Actual
$57,065
2026 Current Est.
$57,624
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,229 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,772 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,806 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,065 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Golden metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $53,229 (2019) to $57,065 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,960 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Golden 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) | $46,529 – $53,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,632 – $57,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,624 – $72,125 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,125 – $89,318 |
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 Golden
Golden's market for elementary school teachers features a modest employment pool of just six teachers, indicating a tight labor situation. With a cost-of-living index at 105, the purchasing power for teachers in this region is slightly above the national average, impacting their overall financial reality. While K-12 public school districts generally adhere to salary schedules based on experience and education levels, variations can arise from specialized areas, summer school contracts, or additional coaching roles that can provide supplementary income. Among local employers, public school districts top the list for competitive salaries, while certain charter schools may offer premium pay structures combined with longer instructional days, creating a unique compensation dynamic. Teachers looking to maximize their earnings in Golden would benefit from pursuing additional certifications or engaging in high-need subject areas, where market demand leads to more lucrative pay opportunities.
More salary data for Golden, 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 $57,065 for elementary school teachersin the Golden 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 Golden 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