Elementary School Teacher Salary in Topeka, KS: $59,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Topeka, KS earns a median $59,528/year (≈ $28.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $67,021 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teacher salaries in Topeka, Kansas, project a median annual income of $59,528 for 2026. This figure situates Topeka's teacher compensation roughly 7.85% below the national median of $64,597. The salary range extends from $49,349 for those at the entry level (P10) up to $62,083 for more experienced educators (P90). Utilizing official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, these figures underscore how a relatively low cost of living index of 88.82 affects wage expectations. While Topeka may not quite rival higher-cost districts, it presents a practical option for educators seeking a foothold in a market where salaries can vary significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,349 | $23.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,692 | $24.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,528 | $28.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,588 | $29.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,083 | $29.85 |
Median Salary Position
7.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,734 (2026 est.). At $59,528, the local median is 7.85% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Topeka Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Topeka median: $59,528/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $58,706 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -7.85% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Topeka, KS earn a median of $59,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.85% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.40% above the Kansas state average of $58,706.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $59,528 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,021 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,850
2025 BLS Actual
$58,950
2026 Current Est.
$59,528
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 25.8% from $46,850 (2019) to $58,950 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,261 (28.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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) | $49,349 – $50,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,692 – $59,528 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,528 – $61,588 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,588 – $62,083 |
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 Topeka
Currently, there are approximately 1,170 elementary school teachers employed in Topeka, KS, creating a competitive education job market. Despite the lower salary compared to the national average, the cost-of-living index suggests that educators may enjoy a reasonable purchasing power. In Topeka, K-12 public school districts constitute the primary employers offering structured step-and-lane pay scales, which reward both years of experience and levels of education. To maximize their earnings, teachers should consider securing stipends for roles in shortage areas such as special education or STEM and seek opportunities for after-school tutoring or coaching. Those aspiring to advance their credentials through National Board Certification or additional degrees may also find additional financial incentives available. As such, understanding various compensation avenues can empower educators to enhance their overall pay in the Topeka market.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
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 $58,950 for elementary school teachersin the Topeka 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