Elementary School Teacher Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $47,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $47,562/year (≈ $22.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $55,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the anticipated median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is set at $47,562. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a salary range that spans from $39,463 at the lower end (P10) to $61,699 at the upper end (P90). Given the city’s cost of living index of 86.078, which indicates living expenses below the national average, the effective compensation for educators may allow for a more manageable lifestyle compared to regions with higher costs. The salary data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, illustrating the dynamics of the teaching market in this area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,463 | $18.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,562 | $22.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,562 | $22.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,699 | $29.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,699 | $29.67 |
Median Salary Position
26.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,236 (2026 est.). At $47,562, the local median is 26.37% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $47,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $49,440 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -26.37% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $47,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.37% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.80% below the Missouri state average of $49,440.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $47,562 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,550
2025 BLS Actual
$47,100
2026 Current Est.
$47,562
2019–2027 Growth
+12.9%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 10.7% from $42,550 (2019) to $47,100 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,478 (12.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $39,463 – $47,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,562 – $47,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,562 – $61,699 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,699 – $61,699 |
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 Cape Girardeau
Currently, Cape Girardeau employs around 1,030 elementary school teachers, demonstrating a steady demand in the local job market. The comparatively low cost of living enhances take-home pay, but it still presents challenges for educators striving to maximize their earnings. Public school districts generally follow a step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and educational qualifications, which influences overall compensation. Additionally, specialized areas such as special education and STEM often provide extra stipends due to high demand. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer more consistent pay, while charter schools may vary based on operational models. For teachers looking to increase their salaries, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications such as National Board Certification can pay dividends, as can engaging in summer school or after-school tutoring contracts.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 $47,100 for elementary school teachersin the Cape Girardeau 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