Elementary School Teacher Salary in Portland, OR: $83,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Portland, OR earns a median $83,137/year (≈ $39.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $78,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.5% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Portland, Oregon offers a competitive 2026 median annual salary for elementary school teachers at $83,137, significantly exceeding the national average of $64,597. The local salary range extends from $50,763 at the 10th percentile to $108,705 at the 90th percentile, providing a wide spectrum for compensation based on experience and specialization. Shortage stipends for teachers in areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education can further enhance base pay, making Portland an attractive option for those entering the teaching profession. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting not only a demand for educators but also the city’s commitment to equitable salary structures amid ongoing challenges in the educational workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,763 | $24.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,042 | $30.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,137 | $39.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,292 | $50.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,705 | $52.26 |
Median Salary Position
28.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,942 (2026 est.). At $83,137, the local median is 28.7% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be above the median
How Portland Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Portland median: $83,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $75,237 | +10.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +28.70% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Portland, OR earn a median of $83,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.70% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 10.50% above the Oregon state average of $75,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,137 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,862 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,640
2025 BLS Actual
$82,330
2026 Current Est.
$83,137
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,952 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 11.8% from $73,640 (2019) to $82,330 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,312 (14.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $50,763 – $64,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,042 – $83,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,137 – $105,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,292 – $108,705 |
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 Portland
As of 2026, the job market in Portland employs approximately 7,530 elementary school teachers, which supports a dynamic educational environment. The cost of living index stands at 105.421, indicating that housing and everyday expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, impacting the purchasing power of salaries. Among the major employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer structured salary scales based on years of experience and education levels, while charter schools, such as KIPP and Aspire, might offer variable pay depending on specific teaching assignments. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to the district's step-and-lane pay structures, which benefit those with advanced degrees and National Board Certification, along with additional stipends for high-need areas. For educators aiming to maximize their compensation in Portland, pursuing certifications and taking on extra responsibilities such as tutoring or coaching can be effective strategies to increase overall earnings while navigating the competitive landscape of elementary school teacher pay in Portland OR.
More salary data for Portland, 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 $82,330 for elementary school teachersin the Portland 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