Elementary School Teacher Salary in Salem, MA: $79,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Salem, MA earns a median $79,155/year (≈ $38.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Salem's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $72,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for an elementary school teacher in Salem, Massachusetts, is projected to be $79,155, which reflects a significant 22.54% increase above the national median of $64,597 for the same year. Salaries in the city can vary greatly, with a range from $63,786 at the 10th percentile to $122,691 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience, specialization, and district funding. This data, derived from state-level estimates and regional cost adjustments, reveals that educators in Salem can benefit from additional stipends for teaching in high-demand fields such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, further enhancing their base pay.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,786 | $30.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,905 | $35.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,155 | $38.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,319 | $46.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,691 | $58.98 |
Median Salary Position
22.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, MA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,905 (2026 est.). At $79,155, the local median is 22.54% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Salem median: $79,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $82,111 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +22.54% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Salem, MA earn a median of $79,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.54% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $82,111.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,155 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,954 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,118
2025 BLS Actual
$78,387
2026 Current Est.
$79,155
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,118 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,593 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,387 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,931 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $73,118 (2019) to $78,387 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,813 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $63,786 – $73,905 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,905 – $79,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,155 – $97,319 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,319 – $122,691 |
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 Salem
Considering the local job market, there are currently eight elementary school teachers employed in Salem, which points to a limited but stable demand within the community. The cost-of-living index sits at 108.5, indicating expenses are above the national average, which can affect teachers' take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, public school districts generally offer competitive pay through structured step-and-lane schedules, while charter schools may pay varying levels based on performance and student needs. Factors such as shortage area stipends and additional responsibilities—like summer school or after-school programs—can drive the wide salary range observed in Salem. For teachers aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification, alongside seeking positions in high-need areas, can significantly elevate their compensation in this market.
More salary data for Salem, MA:
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 $78,387 for elementary school teachersin the Salem 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 Salem 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