Elementary School Teacher Salary in Shelton, CT: $82,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Shelton, CT earns a median $82,084/year (≈ $39.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Shelton's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $76,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average elementary school teacher salary in Shelton, CT, is projected to be $82,084, reflecting a significant premium over the national median of $64,597. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $63,167 at the 10th percentile to $127,230 at the 90th percentile, indicating robust earning potential for those in this profession. Shelton's competitive pay is enhanced by additional stipends for teachers in critical shortage areas like special education, STEM fields, and bilingual education, which help boost base compensation. Local salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional living costs, provide valuable insight into the opportunities available for educators in the area, revealing that Shelton's market conditions favor skilled and qualified teachers.
About the Shelton Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,167 | $30.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,084 | $39.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,512 | $49.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,230 | $61.16 |
Median Salary Position
27.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelton
In Shelton, CT, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,063 (2026 est.). At $82,084, the local median is 27.07% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shelton Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Shelton median: $82,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $80,632 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +27.07% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Shelton, CT earn a median of $82,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.07% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.80% above the Connecticut state average of $80,632.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelton has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shelton, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,084 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,074 — a 7.32% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$75,823
2025 BLS Actual
$81,287
2026 Current Est.
$82,084
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Shelton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,437 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,021 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,918 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,598 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,287 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,888 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelton metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $75,823 (2019) to $81,287 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,888 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,065 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelton 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) | $63,167 – $74,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,360 – $82,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,084 – $103,512 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,512 – $127,230 |
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 Shelton
On the local job front, there are currently 10 elementary school teachers employed in Shelton, indicating a more niche job market for educators in this Connecticut city. The area's cost of living index, sitting at 107.9, suggests that while salaries may be higher than the national average, purchasing power can be squeezed. Among potential employers, local K-12 public school districts generally offer the best salaries, though charter schools and private institutions provide varying compensation based on educational philosophy and school structure. The disparity in pay stems from several factors, including the step-and-lane pay scale that most local districts employ, which factors in years of experience and educational attainment. To maximize earnings in Shelton, educators should consider pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining National Board Certification, and exploring summer or after-school contract opportunities.
More salary data for Shelton, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Shelton, CT in 2026?
Is Shelton, CT a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Shelton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Shelton?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Shelton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
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 $81,287 for elementary school teachersin the Shelton 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 Shelton 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