Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bozeman, MT: $61,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bozeman, MT earns a median $61,335/year (≈ $29.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $59,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Bozeman, Montana, is projected at $61,335, which falls slightly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range for this profession in Bozeman spans from $45,098 at the 10th percentile to $82,561 at the 90th percentile. This data comes from comprehensive surveys conducted by BLS, projecting a stable job market characterized by a growth rate of 0.98% annually. Teachers in the district who hold advanced degrees and accumulate experience will find their place on the district's step-and-lane scale affects their salaries significantly. This factor reflects a commitment to professional achievement, making Bozeman an interesting locale for educators seeking to understand their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,098 | $21.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,753 | $22.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,335 | $29.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,930 | $31.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,561 | $39.70 |
Median Salary Position
5.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,463 (2026 est.). At $61,335, the local median is 5.05% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bozeman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bozeman Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $61,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $58,807 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -5.05% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $61,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 4.30% above the Montana state average of $58,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,335 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,833 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,657
2025 BLS Actual
$60,740
2026 Current Est.
$61,335
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,863 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $56,657 (2019) to $60,740 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,279 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $45,098 – $47,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,753 – $61,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,335 – $64,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,930 – $82,561 |
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 Bozeman
Currently, there are about 400 elementary school teachers working in Bozeman, which contributes to a relatively strong job market for education professionals. The cost of living index stands at 102.51, indicating that while salaries are competitive within the state, high living expenses can affect overall purchasing power. Within the local educational landscape, K-12 public school districts usually offer better pay compared to charter institutions, though private schools and post-secondary education roles may present unique compensation opportunities. The disparity in teacher pay arises from the district's step-and-lane pay structure, which accounts for years of service and advanced educational qualifications, as well as stipends for those working in shortage areas such as special education or STEM. For aspiring educators looking to maximize earnings in Bozeman, pursuing advanced degrees and obtaining National Board Certification could be beneficial strategies, as these credentials often lead to higher placement on the pay scale.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
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 $60,740 for elementary school teachersin the Bozeman 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, 2-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