Elementary School Teacher Salary in Greeley, CO: $60,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Greeley, CO earns a median $60,750/year (≈ $29.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Greeley's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.2), that paycheck buys what $60,643 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the competitive landscape of Greeley, CO, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $60,750, marking a slight decrease compared to the national average of $64,597. The salary range varies significantly, spanning from $49,218 at the lower 10th percentile to $80,128 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reflect the local economy's high cost of living, given Greeley's index of 100.176, which slightly exceeds the national average. This premium can shape how much teachers can effectively earn, highlighting the urgent need for competitive compensation to attract and retain talent within the district.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,218 | $23.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,902 | $27.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,750 | $29.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,129 | $37.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,128 | $38.52 |
Median Salary Position
5.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greeley
In Greeley, CO, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,910 (2026 est.). At $60,750, the local median is 5.96% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greeley Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Greeley median: $60,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $62,628 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -5.96% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Greeley, CO earn a median of $60,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.96% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $62,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greeley has a cost of living 0.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greeley, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.176 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,750 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,643 — a 0.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,090
2025 BLS Actual
$60,160
2026 Current Est.
$60,750
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Greeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,345 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greeley metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 27.8% from $47,090 (2019) to $60,160 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,345 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,255 (30.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greeley 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) | $49,218 – $57,902 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,902 – $60,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,750 – $77,129 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,129 – $80,128 |
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 Greeley
Currently, Greeley employs approximately 1,370 elementary school teachers, illustrating a steady job market for educators in the area. With a cost-of-living index over the national average, teachers must consider their purchasing power when evaluating compensation. Local public school districts typically adhere to a step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education, which can result in significant pay variances. Teachers in shortage areas such as special education or STEM fields may receive additional stipends, further widening the pay gap. To optimize their earnings in Greeley, educators should consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, engaging in summer school programs, and seeking roles in high-demand subjects, which can enhance their overall salary potential beyond the base scale.
More salary data for Greeley, 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 $60,160 for elementary school teachersin the Greeley 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