Elementary School Teacher Salary in Gaithersburg, MD: $71,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Gaithersburg, MD earns a median $71,120/year (≈ $34.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Gaithersburg's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $65,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gaithersburg, Maryland, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $71,120, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape influenced by the area's higher cost of living. With a salary range extending from $52,725 at the 10th percentile to $110,237 at the 90th percentile, local educators benefit from a market that prioritizes fair compensation to attract and retain talent. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate that elementary school teacher pay in Gaithersburg MD is about 10.10% higher than the national median of $64,597, highlighting both a financial incentive and the significant cost challenges of living in a metropolitan area.
About the Gaithersburg Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,725 | $25.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,181 | $30.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,899 | $43.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,237 | $52.99 |
Median Salary Position
10.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gaithersburg
In Gaithersburg, MD, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,512 (2026 est.). At $71,120, the local median is 10.1% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gaithersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gaithersburg Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Gaithersburg median: $71,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gaithersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $70,626 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +10.10% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Gaithersburg, MD earn a median of $71,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.70% above the Maryland state average of $70,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gaithersburg has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gaithersburg, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,120 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,069 — a 8.51% reduction.
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
$65,696
2025 BLS Actual
$70,430
2026 Current Est.
$71,120
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Gaithersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,696 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,094 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,111 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,877 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,817 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gaithersburg metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $65,696 (2019) to $70,430 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,121 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gaithersburg 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) | $52,725 – $63,181 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,181 – $71,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,120 – $90,899 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,899 – $110,237 |
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 Gaithersburg
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Gaithersburg includes about 14 employed educators, signaling a stable demand for teaching professionals amidst a cost of living index of 109.3, which is above the national average. In this context, prospective teachers can maximize their earning potential through strategic choices, such as targeting employment in K-12 public school districts, which typically offer pay aligned with district step-and-lane scales based on experience and education. Opportunities for additional compensation, such as stipends for special education, STEM, and bilingual educators, further contribute to the variability in pay among teachers. Engaging in summer school, after-school tutoring, or earning National Board Certification can also significantly enhance an educator's salary, making it essential for candidates in Gaithersburg to explore these avenues for financial growth.
More salary data for Gaithersburg, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Gaithersburg, MD in 2026?
Is Gaithersburg, MD a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Gaithersburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Gaithersburg?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Gaithersburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $70,430 for elementary school teachersin the Gaithersburg 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 Gaithersburg 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