Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bethesda, MD: $68,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bethesda, MD earns a median $68,196/year (≈ $32.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $62,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Bethesda, Maryland, is positioning itself as a competitive market for elementary school teachers, with a projected median annual salary of $68,196 for 2026. This reflects a 5.57% increase compared to the national median of $64,597, making classroom positions in this affluent area particularly attractive. Salaries range from $51,168 at the 10th percentile to $105,704 at the 90th percentile, indicating a strong potential for high earnings based on experience and specialized skills. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight Bethesda's proactive approach in addressing staffing shortages, particularly in special education, STEM, and bilingual education sectors, by offering additional stipends that can significantly boost base pay.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,168 | $24.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,196 | $32.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,291 | $41.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,704 | $50.82 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,536 (2026 est.). At $68,196, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $68,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $70,596 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +5.57% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $68,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $70,596.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,196 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,393 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,994
2025 BLS Actual
$67,534
2026 Current Est.
$68,196
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,994 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,821 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,127 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,864 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $62,994 (2019) to $67,534 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,864 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,870 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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) | $51,168 – $61,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,250 – $68,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,196 – $87,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,291 – $105,704 |
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 Bethesda
Currently, 18 elementary school teachers are employed within Bethesda, reflecting a robust job market for educators in the area. However, the cost of living index at 109.3 indicates that teachers must consider how their salaries translate into purchasing power. Local employers, such as the Montgomery County Public Schools, tend to offer the highest salaries among K-12 districts, driven by a step-and-lane pay structure that correlates earnings with experience and education levels. Furthermore, teachers specializing in shortage areas can benefit from additional stipends, which widen the disparity between entry-level and high-earning teachers. To maximize earnings, candidates might pursue National Board Certification or seek summer school contracts, enhancing their overall compensation in this high-cost region. Understanding these local dynamics can help educators in navigating their financial futures more successfully.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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 $67,534 for elementary school teachersin the Bethesda 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 Bethesda 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