Elementary School Teacher Salary in Liberal, KS: $54,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Liberal, KS earns a median $54,765/year (≈ $26.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $60,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Liberal, Kansas, is projected to be $54,765, which reflects a salary range between $45,257 and $84,887 based on the 10th and 90th percentiles, respectively. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional economic adjustments, highlight a local educational sector that is competitive, yet still somewhat below the national median of $64,597 for similar roles. For teachers in Liberal, placement on the salary scale can vary significantly based on their level of education, particularly between those with a master's degree versus those who have pursued further education, such as master's plus 30 credits. Given these dynamics, the job market for elementary school educators in Liberal remains stable, affected by the overall demand for teaching professionals in this region.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,257 | $21.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,856 | $24.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,765 | $26.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,171 | $31.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,887 | $40.81 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,630 (2026 est.). At $54,765, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Liberal Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Liberal median: $54,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $58,698 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -15.22% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Liberal, KS earn a median of $54,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $58,698.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $54,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,248 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% 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
$50,588
2025 BLS Actual
$54,234
2026 Current Est.
$54,765
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Liberal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,588 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,988 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,172 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,234 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,302 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $50,588 (2019) to $54,234 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,714 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $45,257 – $51,856 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,856 – $54,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,765 – $66,171 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,171 – $84,887 |
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 Liberal
Among the four elementary school teachers employed in Liberal, the local job market reflects the broader trends seen in public education. The cost of living index stands at 90.9, which indicates a relatively affordable environment for residents, positively impacting the purchasing power of teachers despite the lower salary figures compared to national benchmarks. The most competitive salaries in Liberal are typically found within K-12 public school districts, as they adhere to a step-and-lane pay structure influenced by experience and educational attainment. In addition to base pay, teachers can earn additional compensation through stipends for teaching in high-need areas such as special education or STEM, as well as through summer and after-school program contracts. For educators aiming to maximize their earnings in this competitive local market, pursuing further education and engaging in specialized training or certifications can provide both professional advancement and financial benefits.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Liberal, KS in 2026?
Is Liberal, KS a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Liberal?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Liberal?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Liberal?
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 $54,234 for elementary school teachersin the Liberal 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 Liberal 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