Elementary School Teacher Salary in Idaho: $62,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $62,167/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,233 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lewiston ($64,600), Coeur d'Alene ($63,550), Boise ($63,390).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Idaho is projected to be $62,167, which is about 3.8% lower than the national median of $64,597. Lewiston ranks as the highest-paying city for elementary educators at $65,233, while Mountain Home offers the lowest salary at $58,228. This $7,005 discrepancy is largely driven by local cost of living, district funding, and demand for teachers. Idaho's teacher salaries are influenced by specific state licensing requirements, which necessitate a bachelor's degree and completion of an accredited teacher preparation program. The job market for elementary school teachers in Idaho has a growth rate of 0.98% annually, indicating steady demand for educators. The top five cities projected for 2026—Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene ($64,173), Boise ($64,011), Nampa ($63,527), and Caldwell ($62,240)—reflect varying economic conditions and educational funding sources. Overall, while the salaries in Idaho are below the national average, ongoing demand for teachers suggests a stable job outlook. Prospective teachers should consider the cost of living and opportunities for professional development, which can impact long-term career earnings.
Idaho Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $44,047 (lowest entry-level) to $106,150 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho elementary school teachers earn 3.76% less than the national median ($-2,430/year difference).
Idaho Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Idaho range from $46,961 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,172 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,167. The Idaho median is $2,430 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $29.89/hr. Approximately 4,805 elementary school teachers are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,758
2025 BLS Actual
$61,564
2026 Current Est.
$62,167
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,316 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,724 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,703 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,594 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 34.5% from $45,758 (2019) to $61,564 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,018 (37.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $58,228 |
| Eagle | $58,807 |
| Post Falls | $59,358 |
| Kuna | $59,722 |
| Moscow | $60,210 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $65,233 | 91.16 | $71,559 |
| Pocatello | $61,436 | 88.906 | $69,102 |
| Boise | $64,011 | 95.3 | $67,168 |
| Twin Falls | $61,487 | 92.108 | $66,755 |
| Nampa | $63,527 | 95.3 | $66,660 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,961 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,167 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,172 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | $65,233 |
| 2 | Coeur d'Alene | $64,173 |
| 3 | Boise | $64,011 |
| 4 | Nampa | $63,527 |
| 5 | Caldwell | $62,240 |
| 6 | Meridian | $61,986 |
| 7 | Boise City | $61,830 |
| 8 | Idaho Falls | $61,679 |
| 9 | Twin Falls | $61,487 |
| 10 | Pocatello | $61,436 |
| 11 | Rexburg | $61,174 |
| 12 | Moscow | $60,210 |
| 13 | Kuna | $59,722 |
| 14 | Post Falls | $59,358 |
| 15 | Eagle | $58,807 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $58,228 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Idaho cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Idaho?
How does Idaho elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Idaho?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide 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. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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