Elementary School Teacher Salary in Jackson, MI: $64,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Jackson, MI earns a median $64,395/year (≈ $30.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $70,163 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teacher salaries in Jackson, Michigan, are projected to average $64,395 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $64,597. The salaries for teachers in this area range from $47,390 at the 10th percentile to as high as $93,114 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026, and they reflect a modest growth rate of 0.98% annually. While the compensation for educators is relatively competitive, Jackson's job market is influenced by the growing need for qualified teachers in special education, STEM, and bilingual programs, which often include additional stipends that can enhance base pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,390 | $22.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,046 | $23.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,395 | $30.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,693 | $38.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,114 | $44.76 |
Median Salary Position
0.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,724 (2026 est.). At $64,395, the local median is 0.31% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Jackson median: $64,395/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $64,719 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -0.31% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Jackson, MI earn a median of $64,395 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.31% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.50% below the Michigan state average of $64,719.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.779 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $64,395 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,163 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,483
2025 BLS Actual
$63,770
2026 Current Est.
$64,395
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,483 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,749 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $59,483 (2019) to $63,770 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,543 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $47,390 – $49,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,046 – $64,395 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,395 – $79,693 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,693 – $93,114 |
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 Jackson
With approximately 750 elementary school teachers employed in the region, the local job market shows signs of strength despite the lower cost of living index at 91.779, which effectively boosts purchasing power for educators. School districts in Jackson, particularly K-12 public entities, generally follow a step-and-lane pay structure that rewards experience and educational attainment. However, the variability in pay can be significant due to factors like shortage area stipends and responsibilities associated with after-school programs. For teachers looking to maximize their earnings in this region, pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification can lead to higher salaries. Joining the NEA or AFT may also help in negotiating better terms and understanding market trends. Understanding the specific dynamics of the Jackson job market is essential for educators aiming to improve their compensation prospects.
More salary data for Jackson, MI:
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 $63,770 for elementary school teachersin the Jackson 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, 5-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