Elementary School Teacher Salary in North Liberty, IA: $58,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in North Liberty, IA earns a median $58,604/year (≈ $28.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in North Liberty's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $64,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Liberty, Iowa, the projected median annual elementary school teacher salary for 2026 is $58,604, which represents a notable gap when compared to the national median of $64,597. This discrepancy reflects the area’s position within a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) district, where salaries must compete against rising living expenses. The salary range for elementary school teachers in the region spans from $44,798 at the lower end to $90,836 for those at the higher end of the pay scale. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, illustrate a job market that rewards experience and education while remaining sensitive to the economic pressures of the local environment.
About the North Liberty Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,798 | $21.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,291 | $27.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,604 | $28.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,727 | $35.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,836 | $43.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Liberty
In North Liberty, IA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,038 (2026 est.). At $58,604, the local median is 9.28% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Liberty: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Liberty Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
North Liberty median: $58,604/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Liberty Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,146 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -9.28% less |
Elementary School Teachers in North Liberty, IA earn a median of $58,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $62,146.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Liberty 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.
North Liberty, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $58,604 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$54,134
2025 BLS Actual
$58,035
2026 Current Est.
$58,604
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,134 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,286 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,967 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,178 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Liberty metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $54,134 (2019) to $58,035 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,178 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,044 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Liberty 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) | $44,798 – $56,291 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,291 – $58,604 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,604 – $73,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,727 – $90,836 |
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 North Liberty
The job market in North Liberty currently employs six elementary school teachers, indicating a stable demand for K-12 educators. Even with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which is below the national average, take-home pay still reflects the challenges of affordability in the region. Among education employers, public K-12 school districts typically offer the most consistent pay structures, following a step-and-lane scale based on years of experience and educational attainment. However, the disparities in pay may arise from various stipends tied to special education, STEM qualifications, and high-demand subjects. For teachers looking to maximize their earnings in North Liberty, seeking additional credentials like National Board Certification, pursuing summer school opportunities, or engaging in coaching and tutoring roles can significantly enhance their compensation. The local educational landscape reflects a balance of competitive pay and the realities of cost management, necessitating strategic career planning for prospective teachers.
More salary data for North Liberty, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in North Liberty, IA in 2026?
Is North Liberty, IA a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in North Liberty?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in North Liberty?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in North Liberty?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $58,035 for elementary school teachersin the North Liberty 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 North Liberty 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