Elementary School Teacher Salary in New York: $93,328 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $93,328/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,525 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kingston ($97,920), New York ($96,900), Poughkeepsie ($83,029).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in New York is projected to be $93,328, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a gap of 44.5%. The highest paying city, Kingston, offers salaries reaching $98,880, while Elmira presents the lowest at $61,820. This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, local tax structures, and funding for public education, which vary across regions. New York has specific licensing requirements that educators must meet, including passing certification exams and fulfilling ongoing professional development. These regulations help maintain teaching standards, influencing salary scales. Additionally, demand for teachers can fluctuate based on population growth and educational initiatives, which can drive salaries higher in metro areas with increased enrollment. With a projected annual growth rate of 0.98%, the job market for elementary school teachers in the state remains stable. Key cities expected to have competitive salaries include New York at $97,850, Poughkeepsie at $83,843, Kiryas Joel at $82,571, and Troy at $81,601. This outlook highlights the ongoing need for qualified educators in New York's diverse and dynamic educational landscape.
New York Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $47,743 (lowest entry-level) to $137,666 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York elementary school teachers earn 44.48% more than the national median (+$28,731/year difference).
New York Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in New York range from $60,717 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $130,971 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $93,328. The New York median is $28,731 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $44.87/hr. Approximately 124,190 elementary school teachers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,815
2025 BLS Actual
$92,422
2026 Current Est.
$93,328
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,897 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,603 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,422 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,328 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,242 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 18.8% from $77,815 (2019) to $92,422 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,427 (21.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | $98,880 | 100.709 | $98,184 |
| New York | $97,850 | 112.563 | $86,929 |
| Utica | $77,765 | 92.678 | $83,909 |
| Glens Falls | $79,239 | 94.866 | $83,527 |
| Binghamton | $77,290 | 92.863 | $83,230 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $60,717 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $93,328 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $130,971 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingston | $98,880 |
| 2 | New York | $97,850 |
| 3 | Poughkeepsie | $83,843 |
| 4 | Kiryas Joel | $82,571 |
| 5 | Troy | $81,601 |
| 6 | Newburgh | $80,778 |
| 7 | Albany | $80,017 |
| 8 | Yonkers | $79,768 |
| 9 | Syracuse | $79,330 |
| 10 | Glens Falls | $79,239 |
| 11 | Schenectady | $78,279 |
| 12 | New Rochelle | $78,123 |
| 13 | Utica | $77,765 |
| 14 | Binghamton | $77,290 |
| 15 | Mount Vernon | $77,249 |
| 16 | Buffalo | $77,240 |
| 17 | Rome | $76,971 |
| 18 | Long Beach | $76,654 |
| 19 | Niagara Falls | $76,612 |
| 20 | Spring Valley | $75,791 |
| 21 | White Plains | $75,691 |
| 22 | Jamestown | $75,598 |
| 23 | Valley Stream | $75,478 |
| 24 | Middletown | $75,163 |
| 25 | Hempstead | $75,081 |
| 26 | Saratoga Springs | $74,711 |
| 27 | North Tonawanda | $74,270 |
| 28 | Auburn | $73,908 |
| 29 | Freeport | $73,697 |
| 30 | Oswego | $72,932 |
| 31 | Lackawanna | $72,780 |
| 32 | Amsterdam | $72,745 |
| 33 | Oneonta | $72,569 |
| 34 | Plattsburgh | $71,821 |
| 35 | Cortland | $71,605 |
| 36 | Ithaca | $64,233 |
| 37 | Rochester | $63,456 |
| 38 | Watertown | $62,759 |
| 39 | Elmira | $61,820 |
More New York Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in New York cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in New York?
How does New York elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in New York?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide 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. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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