Elementary School Teacher Salary in Wilmington, DE: $80,695 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Wilmington, DE earns a median $80,695/year (≈ $38.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $79,346 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.8% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an elementary school teacher in Wilmington, Delaware, stands at $80,695, which is about 24.92% higher than the national median of $64,597. For those entering the profession, the annual salary can vary significantly, with a range from $59,771 at the 10th percentile to $125,078 at the 90th percentile. Additionally, Wilmington's salary landscape is influenced by the local cost of living, which is slightly above the national average with a cost of living index at 101.7. As such, teachers benefitting from shortage stipends in areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education may find their base pay enhanced, further affecting the overall compensation structure and the competitively priced job market in Wilmington.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,771 | $28.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,648 | $34.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,695 | $38.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,331 | $48.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,078 | $60.13 |
Median Salary Position
24.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,307 (2026 est.). At $80,695, the local median is 24.92% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $80,695/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $65,713 | +22.80% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +24.92% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $80,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.92% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 22.80% above the Delaware state average of $65,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,695 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,346 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,540
2025 BLS Actual
$79,912
2026 Current Est.
$80,695
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,127 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,702 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,064 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,634 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,695 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $74,540 (2019) to $79,912 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,946 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $59,771 – $71,648 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,648 – $80,695 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,695 – $101,331 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,331 – $125,078 |
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 Wilmington
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Wilmington currently supports around 10 educators, presenting both opportunities and challenges in a competitive environment. With a higher cost of living, the take-home purchasing power may be affected, emphasizing the importance of strategic career decisions. Many K-12 public school districts offer compensation based on a step-and-lane pay scale, accounting for years of experience and education level, while charter schools such as KIPP and Success Academy may provide varied salary packages. Factors contributing to the divergence in teacher pay include summer school contracts, after-school tutoring opportunities, and specialized stipends that cater to high-need areas. To maximize earnings, teachers in Wilmington might consider pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification, both of which can elevate their compensation under the district's pay structure, making it essential to understand the full spectrum of earnings potential in the Wilmington area.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $79,912 for elementary school teachersin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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