Elementary School Teacher Salary in Laurel, MS: $51,199 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Laurel, MS earns a median $51,199/year (≈ $24.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $59,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Mississippi, the estimated compensation for elementary school teachers in 2026 is projected to be $51,199 annually, reflecting a notable difference of 20.74% below the national median salary of $64,597 for the same year. The salary range for these educators extends from $41,808 at the 10th percentile to $78,110 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earnings influenced by factors like experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the economic realities of teaching in a cost-effective region, given the local cost of living index of 85.7. This offers insight into the financial dynamics of the job market in Laurel, where educators navigate the intersection of compensation and living expenses.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,808 | $20.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,951 | $23.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,199 | $24.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,335 | $30.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,110 | $37.55 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,302 (2026 est.). At $51,199, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Laurel median: $51,199/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $55,350 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -20.74% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Laurel, MS earn a median of $51,199 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $55,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $51,199 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,742 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,294
2025 BLS Actual
$50,702
2026 Current Est.
$51,199
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,294 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,895 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,472 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,702 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,199 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,701 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $47,294 (2019) to $50,702 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,701 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,407 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $41,808 – $47,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,951 – $51,199 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,199 – $63,335 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,335 – $78,110 |
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 Laurel
A limited number of six elementary school teachers are currently employed in Laurel, emphasizing the local job market's relatively niche nature. With a cost-of-living index significantly lower than the national average, educators may find their purchasing power enhanced, despite the below-average salary levels. Among the area's employers, public K-12 school districts are generally the highest payers, although certain charter school networks have begun to offer competitive packages to attract talent, particularly for in-demand roles such as special education and STEM. The variation in compensation often arises from diverse factors, including the step-and-lane salary scale, which rewards experience and education level, as well as additional stipends for teachers in shortage areas. Educators looking to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Laurel, MS, should consider pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification to enhance their earning potential, along with seeking opportunities for summer contracts or after-school programs to supplement their salaries effectively.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 $50,702 for elementary school teachersin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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