Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lafayette, IN: $60,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lafayette, IN earns a median $60,174/year (≈ $28.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Lafayette, Indiana, stands at $60,174 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation scene compared to the national median of $64,597. Salaries range from $50,601 at the 10th percentile to $77,987 at the 90th percentile, indicating notable earning potential for educators based on their experience and specialization. Specialties in high-demand areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education can attract additional stipends, enhancing base pay. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and it illustrates that Lafayette's teachers can expect opportunities for financial advancement, particularly in strategic fields that fulfill local educational needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,601 | $24.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,257 | $24.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,174 | $28.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,404 | $31.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,987 | $37.49 |
Median Salary Position
6.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,386 (2026 est.). At $60,174, the local median is 6.85% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $60,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $60,054 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.85% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $60,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.85% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.20% above the Indiana state average of $60,054.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,174 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,310
2025 BLS Actual
$59,590
2026 Current Est.
$60,174
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,767 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 26.0% from $47,310 (2019) to $59,590 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,454 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $50,601 – $51,257 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,257 – $60,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,174 – $66,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,404 – $77,987 |
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 Lafayette
Evaluating the job market, Lafayette currently employs around 720 elementary school teachers, with a cost-of-living index of 93.43, which is slightly below the national average. This means that, while salaries may lag behind bigger markets, the local cost of living allows for reasonable purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers, K-12 public school districts are generally more stable than charter or private school networks. Notably, pay disparities occur because of various factors, including district step-and-lane pay structures, which offer incremental raises for years of experience and higher education levels. There are also stipends available for teachers working in shortage areas, plus potential supplemental income from summer and after-school programs. To maximize compensation, educators in Lafayette should consider advancing their qualifications through National Board Certification or pursuing graduate degrees, while also looking into district-specific policies that could lead to higher salaries.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 $59,590 for elementary school teachersin the Lafayette 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, 4-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