Elementary School Teacher Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $74,473 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $74,473/year (≈ $35.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $75,403 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.1% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Santa Fe, NM, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $74,473, which significantly exceeds the national median of $64,597 by approximately 15.29%. The salary range is broad, with those at the lower end earning around $57,488 while the highest-paid can make up to $91,246. Notably, teachers in special education, STEM fields, or bilingual education may receive stipends on top of their base pay, enhancing their overall compensation and reflecting the pressing demand for educators in these critical areas. This data is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showcasing a market that values experienced and specialized teachers amidst ongoing labor needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,488 | $27.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,415 | $30.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,473 | $35.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,107 | $39.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,246 | $43.87 |
Median Salary Position
15.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,758 (2026 est.). At $74,473, the local median is 15.29% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be above the median
How Santa Fe Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $74,473/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $60,993 | +22.10% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +15.29% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $74,473 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.29% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 22.10% above the New Mexico state average of $60,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $74,473 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,403 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,440
2025 BLS Actual
$73,750
2026 Current Est.
$74,473
2019–2027 Growth
+20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,473 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,203 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 18.1% from $62,440 (2019) to $73,750 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,203 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,763 (20.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $57,488 – $63,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,415 – $74,473 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,473 – $82,107 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,107 – $91,246 |
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 Santa Fe
With 320 elementary school teachers currently employed in Santa Fe, the local job market appears stable, though the cost-of-living index stands at 98.767, slightly below the national average. This means educators need to consider their take-home pay carefully, as it influences purchasing power in the region. When evaluating potential employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive salaries, alongside charter schools like KIPP, which often provide additional compensation for longer hours. The variation in salaries arises from several factors, including the district's step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and education, as well as potential stipends for teaching in shortage areas. To maximize compensation, teachers should pursue advanced degrees or certifications, apply for summer school positions, and engage in tutoring or coaching roles that can enhance their overall income. Understanding these dynamics is essential when considering how much do elementary school teachers make in Santa Fe.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
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 $73,750 for elementary school teachersin the Santa Fe 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