Elementary School Teacher Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $60,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $60,018/year (β $28.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 β projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,811 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates Β· View source

In Oak Lawn, Illinois, elementary school teachers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $60,018 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in Illinois, though slightly below the national average of $64,597. Salary ranges for teachers in this area span from $45,862 at the 10th percentile to $93,029 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant disparities based on experience, education, and specialization. Many teachers in shortage areas, such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, may find additional stipends enhancing their base pay, which helps mitigate the differences in compensation. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the challenges and opportunities within Oak Lawnβs educational job market.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,862 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,214 | $25.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,018 | $28.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,514 | $36.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,029 | $44.72 |
Median Salary Position
7.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,167 (2026 est.). At $60,018, the local median is 7.09% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $60,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $61,621 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -7.09% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $60,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.09% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $61,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal Γ (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,811 in an average-cost city β an effective 2.99% boost.
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
$55,441
2025 BLS Actual
$59,436
2026 Current Est.
$60,018
2019β2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Oak Lawn (2019β2027)
2019β2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,441 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,621 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,318 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,167 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,125 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $55,441 (2019) to $59,436 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,607 by 2027 β a total increase of $5,166 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019β2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026β2026 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) | $45,862 β $53,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,214 β $60,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,018 β $76,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,514 β $93,029 |
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 Oak Lawn
Within Oak Lawn, a total of 14 elementary school teachers are currently employed, hinting at a stable but small local job market for this profession. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, below the national average, which may enhance the purchasing power of salaries earned here. Among education employers, local public school districts tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, integrating factors like the district's step-and-lane pay scale based on years of service and education levels. This area can also benefit from stipends tied to shortage subjects, which influence pay gaps. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications, securing positions in high-need areas, or seeking summer school contracts can be effective strategies to increase their overall compensation in the Oak Lawn market.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Oak Lawn, IL in 2026?
Is Oak Lawn, IL a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Oak Lawn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Oak Lawn?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Oak Lawn?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $59,436 for elementary school teachersin the Oak Lawn 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 (P10βP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Lawn 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. Β· View source data at BLS.gov