Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lawrence, KS: $50,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lawrence, KS earns a median $50,803/year (≈ $24.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $56,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teacher salaries in Lawrence, Kansas, show a median annual salary of $50,803, significantly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range in the city extends from $48,521 at the 10th percentile to $61,113 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a pay scale influenced by various factors, including experience and educational qualifications. This data, derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates that while the compensation may be competitive for local living conditions, it reflects the broader challenges of teacher pay in a high-cost-of-living (HCOL) area. Thus, those considering an elementary school teacher position in Lawrence, KS, should weigh salary against the local economy and job growth opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,521 | $23.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,864 | $23.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,803 | $24.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,113 | $29.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,113 | $29.39 |
Median Salary Position
21.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,592 (2026 est.). At $50,803, the local median is 21.35% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Lawrence Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $50,803/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $58,732 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -21.35% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $50,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.35% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 13.50% below the Kansas state average of $58,732.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $50,803 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,296 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% 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
$48,560
2025 BLS Actual
$50,310
2026 Current Est.
$50,803
2019–2027 Growth
+5.6%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,301 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 3.6% from $48,560 (2019) to $50,310 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,301 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,741 (5.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $48,521 – $48,864 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,864 – $50,803 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,803 – $61,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,113 – $61,113 |
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 Lawrence
With around 450 elementary school teachers employed in Lawrence, job stability remains fairly solid, despite the salaries being less than the national average. The cost of living index at 90.243 suggests that while housing and daily expenses might be lower than in many urban centers, teachers in Lawrence still need to be strategic about their earnings to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive base salaries, while charter schools may provide varying compensation based on their respective structures. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the district's step-and-lane pay scales and possible stipends for specialized teaching areas like special education and STEM. To maximize pay, educators can pursue advanced degrees and certifications, seek supplemental summer contracts, and remain informed about district-level negotiations, ensuring they leverage both their experience and educational credentials within the Lawrence job market.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Lawrence, KS in 2026?
Is Lawrence, KS a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Lawrence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Lawrence?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Lawrence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $50,310 for elementary school teachersin the Lawrence 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, 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