Elementary School Teacher Salary in Albany, NY: $80,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Albany, NY earns a median $80,017/year (≈ $38.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Albany's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $80,366 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $80,017, significantly higher than the national average of $64,597. This salary reflects a competitive market poised to attract talent, especially with strong incentives available for teachers in high-demand areas such as special education, STEM fields, and bilingual education. These shortage stipends can add to the base pay, elevating earnings for skilled educators. The overall salary range for this profession in Albany spans from $52,015 at the lower end (P10) to $105,413 at the higher end (P90), showcasing the diverse compensation landscape driven by experience, qualifications, and district-specific pay scales. The data presented is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the city’s commitment to investing in quality education.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,015 | $25.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,850 | $29.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,017 | $38.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,930 | $48.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,413 | $50.68 |
Median Salary Position
23.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, NY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,398 (2026 est.). At $80,017, the local median is 23.87% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be above the median
How Albany Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Albany median: $80,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $77,761 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +23.87% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Albany, NY earn a median of $80,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.87% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.90% above the New York state average of $77,761.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 0.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 99.566 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $80,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,366 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,880
2025 BLS Actual
$79,240
2026 Current Est.
$80,017
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,801 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 13.4% from $69,880 (2019) to $79,240 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,921 (15.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $52,015 – $61,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,850 – $80,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,017 – $99,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,930 – $105,413 |
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 Albany
With approximately 3,550 elementary school teachers working in the Albany area, the local job market remains robust. The cost-of-living index of 99.566 indicates that Albany is slightly below the national average, providing educators with a reasonable take-home purchasing power despite varying salaries across schools. Among employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer competitive salaries, while charter school networks like KIPP may provide premium compensation for extended hours and performance incentives. Factors driving the disparity in pay include experience-based step-and-lane pay scales, shortage area stipends, and the potential for extra roles such as summer school or tutoring positions. To maximize earnings in Albany, educators should consider pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification, which can lead to higher pay brackets within the established pay structure. Understanding these dynamics can empower teachers to strategically navigate potential employment opportunities in the area.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 $79,240 for elementary school teachersin the Albany 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