Elementary School Teacher Salary in Peoria, IL: $58,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Peoria, IL earns a median $58,003/year (≈ $27.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $63,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Peoria, Illinois, is set at a median annual compensation of $58,003, which falls approximately 10.21% below the national median of $64,597. Teachers in this region can expect to see salaries within a range from $41,058 at the 10th percentile to $80,309 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, also indicates a median hourly wage of $27.89, highlighting the significant variability in compensation based on experience and educational credentials. In Peoria, compensation will typically align with a district's step-and-lane scale, where those with advanced degrees like master's+30 can achieve higher placement on the scale, affecting overall earnings potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,058 | $19.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,794 | $22.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,003 | $27.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,143 | $30.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,309 | $38.61 |
Median Salary Position
10.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,251 (2026 est.). At $58,003, the local median is 10.21% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Peoria median: $58,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $61,574 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -10.21% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Peoria, IL earn a median of $58,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.21% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.80% below the Illinois state average of $61,574.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria has a cost of living 8.77% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 91.231 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $58,003 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,020
2025 BLS Actual
$57,440
2026 Current Est.
$58,003
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,571 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 19.6% from $48,020 (2019) to $57,440 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,571 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,551 (21.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $41,058 – $47,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,794 – $58,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,003 – $63,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,143 – $80,309 |
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 Peoria
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Peoria is relatively stable, employing approximately 1,500 educators in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 91.231, which is less than the national average, teachers may find their purchasing power more favorable despite the salary being lower than the national standards. Public school districts often lead in pay within the local market, although certain charter schools and private institutions can offer competitive salaries based on unique programming or funding. Factors that can contribute to the disparities in teacher salaries include district pay scales, stipends for shortage areas such as special education or STEM, and additional income opportunities through summer school or after-school programs. To maximize earnings in Peoria, educators might consider pursuing advanced certifications or engaging in administrative roles, as well as seeking positions in districts offering higher pay scales for specialized fields.
More salary data for Peoria, IL:
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 $57,440 for elementary school teachersin the Peoria 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
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