Elementary School Teacher Salary in Rochester, NY: $63,456 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Rochester, NY earns a median $63,456/year (≈ $30.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $65,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.4% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 stands at $63,456, slightly below the national median of $64,597. Salary ranges from $48,581 at the 10th percentile to $93,578 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variation in earnings based on experience, education, and specialization. Notably, many districts offer additional stipends for teachers in high-demand fields such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, effectively boosting base pay for those who fill these roles. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting both the demand for educators and the competitive landscape of teacher compensation in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,581 | $23.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,316 | $28.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,456 | $30.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,976 | $38.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,578 | $44.99 |
Median Salary Position
1.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,997 (2026 est.). At $63,456, the local median is 1.77% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Rochester median: $63,456/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $77,764 | -18.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -1.77% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Rochester, NY earn a median of $63,456 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 18.40% below the New York state average of $77,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $63,456 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,395 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,680
2025 BLS Actual
$62,840
2026 Current Est.
$63,456
2019–2027 Growth
+2.2%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,456 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 0.3% from $62,680 (2019) to $62,840 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,398 (2.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $48,581 – $58,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,316 – $63,456 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,456 – $79,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,976 – $93,578 |
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 Rochester
Employment opportunities for elementary school teachers in Rochester are robust, with approximately 5,100 professionals in the field. The local cost of living index, sitting at 97.035, suggests that purchasing power in Rochester may be slightly more favorable than in higher-cost metropolitan areas. When evaluating pay, prospective employees should consider which employers offer the best compensation packages. K-12 public school districts typically follow a standard step-and-lane pay structure, providing predictable salary progression based on years of experience and education levels. Teachers with advanced degrees or specialized certifications, such as National Board Certification, often enjoy higher pay rates. To maximize their income, educators should seek roles in districts that offer financial incentives for summer school, extended contracts, and the aforementioned stipends for shortage areas. Understanding the local market nuances is key for anyone looking to improve their elementary school teacher pay in Rochester NY.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $62,840 for elementary school teachersin the Rochester 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