Elementary School Teacher Salary in Louisiana: $58,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $58,003/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,234 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shreveport ($61,850), Bossier City ($60,868), Metairie ($60,570).
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Louisiana are projected to earn an average median salary of $58,003, which is 10.2% less than the national median of $64,597. This variance in pay reflects broader economic factors, including differences in state funding for education and local cost of living adjustments. The highest salaries can be found in Shreveport at $62,456, while Hammond offers the lowest at $47,935, illustrating a gap of $14,521. Such disparities often result from local district budgets, population demographics, and teacher demand in various regions. Teachers in Louisiana must navigate specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence job availability and salary potential. Currently, there are about 18,629 elementary school teachers employed in the state, reflecting a steady job market strength with a projected annual growth rate of 0.98%. The top five cities for salaries include Shreveport, Bossier City at $61,465, Metairie at $61,164, New Orleans at $60,941, and Slidell at $60,437. Understanding these factors can help aspiring educators make informed decisions about where to teach in Louisiana.
Louisiana Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $38,039 (lowest entry-level) to $100,919 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana elementary school teachers earn 10.21% less than the national median ($-6,594/year difference).
Louisiana Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Louisiana range from $47,917 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,829 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,003. The Louisiana median is $6,594 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $27.88/hr. Approximately 18,629 elementary school teachers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,689
2025 BLS Actual
$57,440
2026 Current Est.
$58,003
2019–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,689 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,396 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,989 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,572 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 18.0% from $48,689 (2019) to $57,440 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,572 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,883 (20.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hammond | $47,935 |
| Lafayette | $48,238 |
| Alexandria | $48,420 |
| Monroe | $50,793 |
| Sulphur | $51,497 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | $62,456 | 84.766 | $73,680 |
| Houma | $59,356 | 85.103 | $69,746 |
| Bossier City | $61,465 | 90.3 | $68,068 |
| Metairie | $61,164 | 90.3 | $67,734 |
| Baton Rouge | $59,891 | 90.78 | $65,974 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,917 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,003 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,829 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $62,456 |
| 2 | Bossier City | $61,465 |
| 3 | Metairie | $61,164 |
| 4 | New Orleans | $60,941 |
| 5 | Slidell | $60,437 |
| 6 | Baton Rouge | $59,891 |
| 7 | Houma | $59,356 |
| 8 | Thibodaux | $58,110 |
| 9 | Kenner | $54,563 |
| 10 | Ruston | $53,553 |
| 11 | Central | $53,499 |
| 12 | New Iberia | $52,756 |
| 13 | Natchitoches | $52,041 |
| 14 | Lake Charles | $52,025 |
| 15 | Zachary | $51,794 |
| 16 | Sulphur | $51,497 |
| 17 | Monroe | $50,793 |
| 18 | Alexandria | $48,420 |
| 19 | Lafayette | $48,238 |
| 20 | Hammond | $47,935 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Louisiana 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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Louisiana?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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