Elementary School Teacher Salary in Medford, OR: $66,475 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Medford, OR earns a median $66,475/year (≈ $31.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Medford's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.4), that paycheck buys what $65,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Medford is projecting an elementary school teacher salary of $66,475, which is slightly above the national average of $64,597, aligning the city's pay approximately 2.91% higher than the national median. Salary ranges for these educators vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $49,440 (P10) and experienced teachers earning up to $93,043 (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, also indicates the presence of various stipends for teachers in specialized areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which can enhance base pay considerably. Such incentives reveal that while the baseline salary may seem modest given national comparisons, there are additional financial opportunities rooted in the specifics of Medford's educational landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,475 | $31.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,379 | $39.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,043 | $44.73 |
Median Salary Position
2.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, OR, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,603 (2026 est.). At $66,475, the local median is 2.91% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Medford median: $66,475/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $75,283 | -11.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +2.91% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Medford, OR earn a median of $66,475 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 11.70% below the Oregon state average of $75,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 1.43% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, OR has a cost-of-living index of 101.433 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,475 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,536 — a 1.41% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,570
2025 BLS Actual
$65,830
2026 Current Est.
$66,475
2019–2027 Growth
+2.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,475 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 0.4% from $65,570 (2019) to $65,830 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,557 (2.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $49,440 – $59,750 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,750 – $66,475 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,475 – $82,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,379 – $93,043 |
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 Medford
With 780 elementary school teachers currently employed in the Medford area, the local job market shows a steady demand for educators, contributing to a competitive environment for staffing schools. The cost of living index in Medford stands at 101.433, slightly above the national average, which affects the overall purchasing power of teachers’ salaries. Public school districts, including Medford School District and Phoenix-Talent School District, typically adhere to a structured step-and-lane pay system, rewarding longevity and education levels. Meanwhile, charter schools in the area might vary in compensation; some may offer premium pay for longer hours or specific teaching assignments, while others could provide lower offerings. Teachers can maximize their earnings by seeking positions in high-need areas, pursuing additional certifications like the National Board Certification, or exploring summer school and tutoring opportunities, positioning themselves at an advantage within the local education system.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
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 $65,830 for elementary school teachersin the Medford 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