Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bismarck, ND: $61,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bismarck, ND earns a median $61,608/year (≈ $29.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $67,683 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Bismarck, North Dakota, can anticipate a median annual salary of $61,608, a figure that falls slightly below the national median of $64,597. Salaries for teachers in the area range considerably, from $49,783 at the 10th percentile to $77,108 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights Bismarck's approach to teacher compensation, reflecting a rigorous step-and-lane pay scale where a master's degree or additional educational credits can significantly impact salary placement. Compared to larger urban districts nationwide, the local pay may appear modest, yet it aligns with regional cost-of-living factors, making the teaching profession competitive within the community.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,783 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,315 | $29.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,608 | $29.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,351 | $36.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,108 | $37.07 |
Median Salary Position
4.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,325 (2026 est.). At $61,608, the local median is 4.63% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $61,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,410 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -4.63% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $61,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.63% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.70% above the North Dakota state average of $59,410.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $61,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,683 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,420
2025 BLS Actual
$61,010
2026 Current Est.
$61,608
2019–2027 Growth
+12.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,212 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 10.1% from $55,420 (2019) to $61,010 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,212 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,792 (12.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $49,783 – $60,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,315 – $61,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,608 – $76,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,351 – $77,108 |
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 Bismarck
The job market for elementary school teachers in Bismarck is solid, with approximately 640 educators currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.024, indicating that expenses in Bismarck are lower than the national average, ultimately allowing teachers to enjoy a decent standard of living. Among the different educational employers in Bismarck, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive pay, while private institutions may vary widely based on resources. Pay disparities often arise from local conditions and teacher qualifications—those with specialized credentials in shortage areas like special education or STEM may receive additional stipends. To enhance earnings, educators in Bismarck can focus on obtaining advanced degrees or National Board Certification, seeking roles with summer school, or engaging in after-school programs. Understanding the specifics of Bismarck's pay structure and leveraging opportunities for professional development can lead to improved financial outcomes.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $61,010 for elementary school teachersin the Bismarck 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