Elementary School Teacher Salary in The Dalles, OR: $69,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in The Dalles, OR earns a median $69,756/year (≈ $33.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $67,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Projected for 2026, an elementary school teacher in The Dalles, Oregon, is anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $69,756, which surpasses the national median of $64,597 by approximately 7.99%. The salary range for this position stretches from $57,132 at the 10th percentile to $108,121 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse spectrum of earning potential based on experience and education. These figures derive from estimates utilizing BLS state-level data and adjustments related to regional price parities. Notably, The Dalles operates within a step-and-lane pay structure that often rewards educators further for advanced degrees such as a master’s or a master’s+30, positioning them for higher placements on the salary scale. This potential for higher compensation may influence job attraction and retention in this area.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,132 | $27.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,512 | $31.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,756 | $33.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,887 | $42.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,121 | $51.98 |
Median Salary Position
7.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,989 (2026 est.). At $69,756, the local median is 7.99% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $69,756/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $75,249 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +7.99% more |
Elementary School Teachers in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $69,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.99% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $75,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,756 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,988 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,436
2025 BLS Actual
$69,079
2026 Current Est.
$69,756
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,304 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,617 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,766 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $64,436 (2019) to $69,079 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,004 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles 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) | $57,132 – $65,512 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,512 – $69,756 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,756 – $87,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,887 – $108,121 |
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 The Dalles
The local job market employs six elementary school teachers, indicating a small but possibly stable educational workforce in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 102.6, The Dalles presents a slightly higher-than-average expense environment, impacting the real take-home pay of instructors. Within this context, the highest-paying employers in the area generally include public school districts that often adhere to the step-and-lane scale. Variations in pay exist due to factors such as years of service, additional stipends for specialized roles in special education or STEM fields, and opportunities for summer school contracts or after-school tutoring, all of which can enhance earning potential. Maximizing pay in The Dalles requires educators to pursue advanced degrees, seek out specialty certifications, and consider opportunities for mentorship or leadership positions that may provide additional compensation.
More salary data for The Dalles, 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 $69,079 for elementary school teachersin the The Dalles 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
Salary data for The Dalles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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