Elementary School Teacher Salary in Smyrna, DE: $60,862 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Smyrna, DE earns a median $60,862/year (≈ $29.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $59,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Delaware, elementary school teacher salaries project a median annual pay of $60,862 for 2026, slightly below the national figure of $64,597. The salary range for local educators spans from $49,872 at the 10th percentile to $93,044 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates, incorporates regional price adjustments and reflects the dynamics of the local education market. Incentives such as shortage stipends for special education, STEM, and bilingual positions have become increasingly crucial, as they can significantly enhance base salaries, creating more competitive compensation packages for teachers facing specific challenges in the classroom.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,872 | $23.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,128 | $27.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,862 | $29.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,406 | $36.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,044 | $44.73 |
Median Salary Position
5.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, DE, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,172 (2026 est.). At $60,862, the local median is 5.78% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Smyrna Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $60,862/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $65,725 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -5.78% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Smyrna, DE earn a median of $60,862 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $65,725.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Smyrna, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,862 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,845 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,220
2025 BLS Actual
$60,271
2026 Current Est.
$60,862
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,416 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,862 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $56,220 (2019) to $60,271 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,238 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $49,872 – $57,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,128 – $60,862 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,862 – $75,406 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,406 – $93,044 |
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 Smyrna
Looking at the local teaching job market, with only five elementary school teachers currently employed in Smyrna, there’s both an opportunity and a challenge. The local cost-of-living index stands at 101.7, indicating that living expenses are slightly higher than the national average, which can impact purchasing power. Public school districts tend to offer more predictable salaries based on the state’s step-and-lane pay structure, while charter schools may present more variability in pay but often include bonuses for longer working hours. The wage spread in Smyrna reflects various factors such as advanced degree compensation, additional contracts for summer school, and stipends for National Board Certification. To maximize earnings, teachers should consider seeking opportunities for advanced education, exploring roles in high-need areas, and possibly engaging in extra-curricular tutoring or coaching roles that can bolster overall compensation.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
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 $60,271 for elementary school teachersin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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