Elementary School Teacher Salary in Cortland, NY: $71,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Cortland, NY earns a median $71,605/year (≈ $34.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Cortland's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $61,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Cortland, NY, will reach $71,605, exceeding the national average of $64,597 by approximately 10.85%. Salary ranges will vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $57,944 (P10) and highly experienced teachers earning up to $108,832 (P90). These figures reflect local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. Additionally, Cortland's educational sector offers shortages stipends in areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which can enhance base salaries significantly. This robust compensation framework underlines Cortland's competitive job market for educators, particularly in high-need specializations.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,944 | $27.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,681 | $32.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,605 | $34.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,832 | $52.33 |
Median Salary Position
10.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cortland
In Cortland, NY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,888 (2026 est.). At $71,605, the local median is 10.85% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cortland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cortland Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Cortland median: $71,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cortland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $77,747 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +10.85% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Cortland, NY earn a median of $71,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.85% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $77,747.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cortland has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cortland, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,605 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,782 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,144
2025 BLS Actual
$70,910
2026 Current Est.
$71,605
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Cortland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,551 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,383 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,307 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cortland metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $66,144 (2019) to $70,910 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,307 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,163 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cortland 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) | $57,944 – $66,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,681 – $71,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,605 – $89,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,630 – $108,832 |
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 Cortland
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Cortland is relatively compact, with only four teachers currently employed in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 115.9, which is higher than the national average, this reality impacts the purchasing power of educators significantly. Compensation can differ among various local educational institutions, with public K-12 districts generally adhering to a structured step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education. This method often results in disparities in pay, particularly influenced by special education or STEM shortage area stipends and opportunities for summer school or tutoring contracts. For teachers aiming to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Cortland, pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification can be key strategies. In addition, exploring employment options within higher-paying charter school frameworks or seeking positions in district specialty schools may provide advantageous financial benefits.
More salary data for Cortland, 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 $70,910 for elementary school teachersin the Cortland 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
Salary data for Cortland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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