Elementary School Teacher Salary in Niles, MI: $61,355 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Niles, MI earns a median $61,355/year (≈ $29.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Niles's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $66,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, elementary school teacher salaries in Niles, Michigan, reflect a median annual figure of $61,355, which is slightly below the national median of $64,597, indicating a 5.02% pay gap. The projected salary range for this role spans from $47,410 at the 10th percentile to $85,055 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlight the important context of the step-and-lane pay structure commonly used in public school districts. Teachers with higher degrees can expect better placements in this system, particularly those with a master's degree or advanced educational qualifications, which significantly impact overall compensation. This area’s salary offerings alongside its education quality also play a role in attracting and retaining talent in local schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,833 | $24.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,355 | $29.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,553 | $37.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,055 | $40.90 |
Median Salary Position
5.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Niles
In Niles, MI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,645 (2026 est.). At $61,355, the local median is 5.02% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Niles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Niles Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Niles median: $61,355/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Niles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $64,721 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -5.02% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Niles, MI earn a median of $61,355 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.02% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.20% below the Michigan state average of $64,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Niles has a cost of living 7.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Niles, MI has a cost-of-living index of 92.37 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $61,355 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,423 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,280
2025 BLS Actual
$60,760
2026 Current Est.
$61,355
2019–2027 Growth
+12.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Niles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,355 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Niles metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 9.9% from $55,280 (2019) to $60,760 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,677 (12.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Niles 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) | $47,410 – $50,833 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,833 – $61,355 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,355 – $77,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,553 – $85,055 |
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 Niles
The job market for elementary school teachers in Niles is stable, with approximately 750 educators employed in the area. A cost-of-living index of 92.37 suggests that living expenses here are lower than the national average, which can enhance the effective purchasing power of teachers' salaries. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer higher pay, although some charter school networks may also provide competitive packages, particularly in specialized fields like special education and STEM. The disparity in salaries is often driven by factors such as the district's established step-and-lane scale, which rewards years of service and education, as well as additional stipends for challenging coursework, extended contracts, or extra duties like after-school tutoring. Aspiring educators in Niles should focus on obtaining advanced degrees and pursuing National Board Certification, as these credentials often lead to better salary placements within the district's structure while also enhancing career prospects in the competitive education market.
More salary data for Niles, 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 $60,760 for elementary school teachersin the Niles 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, 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