Elementary School Teacher Salary in Duluth, MN: $66,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Duluth, MN earns a median $66,485/year (≈ $31.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $74,897 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Duluth, MN, is projected to reach $66,485, placing it slightly above the national median of $64,597. The salary range for educators in this position spans from $46,976 at the 10th percentile to $92,841 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures stem from analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Given Duluth's cost-of-living index of 88.768, which is below the national average, the compensation structure indicates that teachers' effective take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost districts. This backdrop suggests a competitive environment for attracting qualified candidates while also highlighting the necessity for strategic career advancement within the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,976 | $22.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,822 | $26.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,485 | $31.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,841 | $44.63 |
Median Salary Position
2.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,865 (2026 est.). At $66,485, the local median is 2.92% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Duluth median: $66,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $73,872 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +2.92% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Duluth, MN earn a median of $66,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.92% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 10.00% below the Minnesota state average of $73,872.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $66,485 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,897 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,000
2025 BLS Actual
$65,840
2026 Current Est.
$66,485
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.7%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew -4.6% from $69,000 (2019) to $65,840 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,863 (-2.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $46,976 – $55,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,822 – $66,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,485 – $80,340 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,340 – $92,841 |
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 Duluth
In Duluth, approximately 1,100 elementary school teachers find employment within a varied educational landscape that includes public, charter, and private institutions. While general compensation tends to align with the step-and-lane pay structure linked to one's experience and educational qualifications, opportunities exist for educators to command higher salaries. The lower cost of living significantly impacts purchasing power, allowing for more comfortable living even with salaries that might appear strictly average compared to other urban settings. Notably, teachers in high-need areas, such as special education or STEM, often secure stipends that can enhance their annual earnings. Aspiring educators may benefit from pursuing additional credentials like the National Board Certification or seeking positions in schools that offer advanced degree stipends. Maximizing pay in Duluth’s market can involve strategically targeting opportunities in specialized sectors and opting for summer and extended-year contracts to increase overall compensation.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 $65,840 for elementary school teachersin the Duluth 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