Elementary School Teacher Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $60,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $60,013/year (≈ $28.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $66,386 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Council Bluffs, IA, is projected to be $60,013, reflecting a competitive yet still challenging market when compared to the national median of $64,597. The salary range for educators in this area extends from $45,013 at the 10th percentile to $93,021 at the 90th, indicating significant variation based on experience, qualifications, and school district funding. These figures derive from estimates based on the 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living differences. Although Council Bluffs offers salaries that may appear modest against higher-cost urban districts, the local job market accommodates approximately twelve elementary school teachers, suggesting a stable demand for educators within the community.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,013 | $21.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,013 | $28.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,818 | $36.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,021 | $44.72 |
Median Salary Position
7.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,008 (2026 est.). At $60,013, the local median is 7.1% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $60,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,126 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -7.10% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $60,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $62,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,013 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,386 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,436
2025 BLS Actual
$59,431
2026 Current Est.
$60,013
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,616 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,313 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,162 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,602 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $55,436 (2019) to $59,431 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,602 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,166 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $45,013 – $53,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,890 – $60,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,013 – $76,818 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,818 – $93,021 |
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 Council Bluffs
When considering the overall compensation landscape, the cost of living in Council Bluffs, which sits at a CoL index of 90.4, directly impacts teachers’ purchasing power. Although the reported salary figures indicate competitive pay, the lower cost of living creates a favorable environment for managing expenses. Various employers exist in the region, including local K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions. Public school systems tend to follow a step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and educational attainment, while charter schools may offer different pay structures. Additionally, bonuses for teachers in high-demand areas such as special education or STEM fields can enhance overall compensation. To maximize salary potential in Council Bluffs, teachers should consider pursuing advanced degrees, National Board Certification, or taking on extracurricular roles such as tutoring or coaching for additional stipend opportunities.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
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 $59,431 for elementary school teachersin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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