Elementary School Teacher Salary in Wheeling, IL: $60,125 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Wheeling, IL earns a median $60,125/year (≈ $28.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,921 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, IL, the 2026 projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers is $60,125, which reflects a gap of nearly 7% when compared to the national median of $64,597. This competitive salary range spans from $47,935 at the 10th percentile to $93,193 at the 90th percentile. The estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities. Teachers working in special education, STEM, or bilingual education may benefit from additional stipend opportunities, which can enhance their overall base pay. Given the current demand for these specialized positions, educators in Wheeling are encouraged to pursue such roles to maximize their earning potential in a city with a limited pool of eligible candidates.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,935 | $23.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,744 | $26.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,125 | $28.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,959 | $37.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,193 | $44.80 |
Median Salary Position
6.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,258 (2026 est.). At $60,125, the local median is 6.92% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $60,125/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $61,603 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.92% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $60,125 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.92% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $61,603.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,125 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,921 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,539
2025 BLS Actual
$59,541
2026 Current Est.
$60,125
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,149 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,271 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,246 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,125 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $55,539 (2019) to $59,541 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,175 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $47,935 – $55,744 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,744 – $60,125 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,125 – $76,959 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,959 – $93,193 |
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 Wheeling
The job market for elementary school teachers in Wheeling is relatively small, with only six educators currently employed in the area. A cost-of-living index of 97.1 suggests that teachers enjoy a lower-than-average living cost, potentially enhancing purchasing power despite salaries that may lag behind national benchmarks. Public school districts in Wheeling typically adhere to the established step-and-lane pay scale, rewarding teachers based on years of experience and educational attainment. The range of salaries allows for variability, driven by factors such as district stipends for shortage areas and extended contract opportunities for summer sessions or after-school activities. For teachers seeking to increase their compensation, targeting professional development like National Board Certification or pursuing advanced degrees can be effective strategies to access higher salary brackets while navigating the local education landscape.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $59,541 for elementary school teachersin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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