Elementary School Teacher Salary in Kansas: $57,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $57,549/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,310 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($61,448), Overland Park ($59,099), Topeka ($58,950).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Kansas is projected to be $57,550, which is 10.9% lower than the national median of $64,597. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Kansas City offering the highest pay at $62,050 and Manhattan at the lowest with $50,005. This disparity is often attributed to the cost of living, local school funding, and demand for teachers in urban versus rural areas. Kansas requires teachers to obtain specific state licenses, which includes completing a bachelor's degree and passing state examinations. The demand for teachers in Kansas is influenced by factors such as population changes and the condition of school facilities. With a projected annual growth rate of 0.98%, the job market shows a steady demand for elementary school teachers, reflecting maintenance of employment levels rather than sharp increases. In 2026, the top five cities for salaries will be: Kansas City at $62,050, Overland Park at $59,678, Topeka at $59,528, Wichita at $59,215, and Olathe at $58,920. Understanding these aspects can help prospective teachers navigate their career paths effectively in the state's educational landscape.
Kansas Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $42,326 (lowest entry-level) to $96,177 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas elementary school teachers earn 10.91% less than the national median ($-7,048/year difference).
Kansas Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Kansas range from $48,778 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,965 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,549. The Kansas median is $7,048 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $27.67/hr. Approximately 5,321 elementary school teachers are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,890
2025 BLS Actual
$56,991
2026 Current Est.
$57,549
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,536 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,961 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,114 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,113 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 14.2% from $49,890 (2019) to $56,991 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,113 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,223 (16.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $62,050 | 90.9 | $68,262 |
| Topeka | $59,528 | 88.82 | $67,021 |
| Wichita | $59,215 | 88.946 | $66,574 |
| Overland Park | $59,678 | 90.9 | $65,652 |
| Olathe | $58,920 | 90.9 | $64,818 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,778 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,549 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,965 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $62,050 |
| 2 | Overland Park | $59,678 |
| 3 | Topeka | $59,528 |
| 4 | Wichita | $59,215 |
| 5 | Olathe | $58,920 |
| 6 | Lenexa | $58,775 |
| 7 | Garden City | $58,194 |
| 8 | Derby | $57,903 |
| 9 | Hutchinson | $57,442 |
| 10 | Leavenworth | $57,424 |
| 11 | Shawnee | $57,242 |
| 12 | Salina | $56,818 |
| 13 | Leawood | $56,504 |
| 14 | Dodge City | $55,551 |
| 15 | Junction City | $55,374 |
| 16 | Prairie Village | $55,140 |
| 17 | Hays | $54,978 |
| 18 | Liberal | $54,765 |
| 19 | Gardner | $54,451 |
| 20 | Emporia | $54,209 |
| 21 | Lawrence | $50,803 |
| 22 | Manhattan | $50,005 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new elementary school teachers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Kansas?
How does Kansas elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Kansas?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide 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. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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