Elementary School Teacher Salary in Gary, IN: $60,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Gary, IN earns a median $60,140/year (≈ $28.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Gary's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $65,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Gary, Indiana, stands at $60,140, reflecting an overall compensation landscape that includes a salary range from $43,999 at the 10th percentile to $93,217 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost factors, underscores a noteworthy trend: Gary's salaries trail the national median of $64,597 by approximately 6.90%. The local job market sees a small cohort of 14 elementary school teachers, revealing both opportunities and challenges within the sector. Enhanced stipends for teachers in shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education can significantly augment base pay, impacting decisions for aspiring educators considering their career pathways.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,999 | $21.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,987 | $25.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,140 | $28.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,217 | $44.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gary
In Gary, IN, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,218 (2026 est.). At $60,140, the local median is 6.9% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gary Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Gary median: $60,140/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $60,080 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.90% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Gary, IN earn a median of $60,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $60,080.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gary has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gary, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,140 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,553
2025 BLS Actual
$59,556
2026 Current Est.
$60,140
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,553 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,735 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,163 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,433 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,022 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gary metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $55,553 (2019) to $59,556 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,176 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gary 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) | $43,999 – $52,987 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,987 – $60,140 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,140 – $75,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,110 – $93,217 |
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 Gary
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Gary operates within a cost-of-living index of 91.3, suggesting that salaries will go further here compared to more expensive locales. Employers including local K-12 public school districts and charter networks often utilize a step-and-lane pay scale that rewards experience and education level, driving variation in compensation. The disparity between lower and higher pay in Gary may also be influenced by several factors such as additional stipends for summer school, after-school tutoring, and certifications like the National Board Certification. To enhance earning potential, teachers may consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, targeting roles in districts or charter schools that offer premiums for hard-to-fill positions. Achieving higher salaries within this market often involves strategic planning and an understanding of both the public and private education sectors in Gary, IN.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
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 $59,556 for elementary school teachersin the Gary 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 Gary 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