Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lawton, OK: $47,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lawton, OK earns a median $47,794/year (≈ $22.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lawton's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $55,613 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% below the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, elementary school teachers in Lawton, OK are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,794, which reflects a competitive, yet historically lower wage compared to the national average of $64,597. The salary range for these educators falls between $45,088 and $62,143, demonstrating that while entry-level positions may begin on the lower end, experienced teachers and those with specialized skills can earn significantly more. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, and they highlight the opportunities available for teachers who secure shortage stipends, particularly in special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which can enhance base pay and offer incentives amidst an evolving job market in Lawton.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,088 | $21.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,794 | $22.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,794 | $22.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,993 | $28.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,143 | $29.88 |
Median Salary Position
26.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawton
In Lawton, OK, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,055 (2026 est.). At $47,794, the local median is 26.01% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawton: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Lawton Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lawton median: $47,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $57,445 | -16.80% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -26.01% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Lawton, OK earn a median of $47,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.01% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 16.80% below the Oklahoma state average of $57,445.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawton has a cost of living 14.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawton, OK has a cost-of-living index of 85.941 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $47,794 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,613 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.36% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,650
2025 BLS Actual
$47,330
2026 Current Est.
$47,794
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lawton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawton metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 19.4% from $39,650 (2019) to $47,330 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,612 (21.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawton 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) | $45,088 – $47,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,794 – $47,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,794 – $58,993 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,993 – $62,143 |
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 Lawton
In the local education sector, approximately 450 elementary school teachers are currently employed, which suggests a noteworthy demand for educators despite a modest 0.98% annual growth rate projected over the next five years. With a cost of living index of 85.941, Lawton’s affordability may provide teachers with a more favorable purchasing power compared to cities with higher living expenses. Within this setting, public school districts typically follow a step-and-lane pay structure, rewarding teachers based on years of experience and educational attainment. While some charter and private schools may offer competitive salaries, particularly for roles in special education or STEM, the difference in pay is often influenced by various factors including certification stipends and additional responsibilities such as summer school and tutoring. Teachers aiming for a higher salary should consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, like the National Board Certification, to maximize their earning potential within Lawton's educational landscape.
More salary data for Lawton, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Lawton, OK in 2026?
Is Lawton, OK a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Lawton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Lawton?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Lawton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 $47,330 for elementary school teachersin the Lawton 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