Elementary School Teacher Salary in Pennsylvania: $78,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $78,517/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,613 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bethlehem ($80,965), Reading ($79,860), York ($79,730).
In Pennsylvania, the projected average median salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $78,517, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a 21.5% difference. Within the state, there is a notable salary range between the highest and lowest paying cities; Bethlehem offers an average salary of $81,758, while Altoona presents a lower average at $62,527. This disparity is often influenced by local cost of living, funding for education, and economic conditions. To teach in Pennsylvania, educators must meet state licensing requirements, which generally include obtaining a bachelor's degree in education, completing a student-teaching internship, and passing state exams. The demand for elementary school teachers is generally steady due to ongoing needs in education, with a projected annual growth rate of 0.98%. The job market remains strong, particularly in metropolitan areas like Reading, which has a projected salary of $80,643, and York at $80,511. With approximately 50,750 elementary school teachers employed statewide, prospects vary by region, affirming the importance of considering local job conditions when pursuing a teaching career in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $48,693 (lowest entry-level) to $126,726 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania elementary school teachers earn 21.55% more than the national median (+$13,920/year difference).
Pennsylvania Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Pennsylvania range from $57,063 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $99,747 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,517. The Pennsylvania median is $13,920 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $37.75/hr. Approximately 50,750 elementary school teachers are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,882
2025 BLS Actual
$77,755
2026 Current Est.
$78,517
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,882 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,897 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,855 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 14.5% from $67,882 (2019) to $77,755 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,405 (16.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Altoona | $62,527 |
| Erie | $70,605 |
| Johnstown | $71,999 |
| West Chester | $72,482 |
| Pottstown | $73,018 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $81,758 | 97.4 | $83,940 |
| York | $80,511 | 96 | $83,866 |
| Johnstown | $71,999 | 85.929 | $83,789 |
| Reading | $80,643 | 97.06 | $83,086 |
| Lebanon | $77,240 | 93.214 | $82,863 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,063 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,517 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $99,747 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethlehem | $81,758 |
| 2 | Reading | $80,643 |
| 3 | York | $80,511 |
| 4 | Allentown | $79,815 |
| 5 | Philadelphia | $79,340 |
| 6 | Lancaster | $79,128 |
| 7 | Easton | $78,445 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $77,916 |
| 9 | State College | $77,512 |
| 10 | Chambersburg | $77,502 |
| 11 | Scranton | $77,341 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh | $77,300 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $77,240 |
| 14 | Gettysburg | $76,189 |
| 15 | Wilkes-Barre | $76,189 |
| 16 | Williamsport | $75,341 |
| 17 | Hazleton | $75,132 |
| 18 | Norristown | $74,988 |
| 19 | Chester | $74,813 |
| 20 | New Castle | $74,072 |
| 21 | Pottstown | $73,018 |
| 22 | West Chester | $72,482 |
| 23 | Johnstown | $71,999 |
| 24 | Erie | $70,605 |
| 25 | Altoona | $62,527 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Pennsylvania?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide 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. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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