Elementary School Teacher Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $79,340 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $79,340/year (≈ $38.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $77,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, the expected compensation for an elementary school teacher is competitive, with a projected median annual salary of $79,340 for 2026. This figure reflects a robust local employment structure, where salaries range from $59,225 at the 10th percentile to $101,929 at the 90th percentile. Philadelphia's public school district typically utilizes a step-and-lane pay scale, which factors in both years of experience and educational attainment. Teachers with advanced degrees, such as a master's or master's plus 30 credits, can find themselves positioned higher within this structure, contributing to the overall attractiveness of teaching in the area when compared to the national median salary of $64,597.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,225 | $28.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,901 | $29.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,365 | $47.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,929 | $49.01 |
Median Salary Position
22.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,704 (2026 est.). At $79,340, the local median is 22.82% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $79,340/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $77,405 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +22.82% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $79,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.82% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 2.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $77,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,340 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,364 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,530
2025 BLS Actual
$78,570
2026 Current Est.
$79,340
2019–2027 Growth
+13.6%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,340 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 11.4% from $70,530 (2019) to $78,570 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,588 (13.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $59,225 – $61,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,901 – $79,340 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,340 – $98,365 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,365 – $101,929 |
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 Philadelphia
The Philadelphia job market comprises approximately 23,380 elementary school teachers, highlighting the demand in this sector. The cost of living index in the city is recorded at 102.554, indicating that while salaries are relatively high, they are matched by the expenses of living in Philadelphia. Teacher salaries at K-12 public school districts often adhere to this step-and-lane structure, yet charter schools like KIPP can offer competitive pay solutions, although some may pay less than district averages. Factors such as shortage area stipends for special education or STEM teachers, advanced degree incentives, and opportunities for summer school or after-school programs can significantly influence overall compensation. Therefore, maximizing income may involve pursuing additional qualifications or seeking positions in high-need areas, where demand frequently drives salary increases.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 $78,570 for elementary school teachersin the Philadelphia 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