Elementary School Teacher Salary in Reading, PA: $80,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Reading, PA earns a median $80,643/year (≈ $38.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $83,086 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $80,643 in 2026, elementary school teachers in Reading, Pennsylvania, benefit from a competitive compensation package that surpasses the national average by 24.84%. Salaries range from $60,002 at the 10th percentile to $95,628 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the substantial differences across experience and qualifications. These figures, derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, also reflect the growing importance of specialized teaching roles; educators in areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education often receive additional stipends that can significantly increase their base pay. As the local job market for elementary school educators remains strong, an adequate supply of positions offers potential for new teachers entering this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,002 | $28.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,618 | $29.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,643 | $38.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,692 | $40.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,628 | $45.98 |
Median Salary Position
24.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,626 (2026 est.). At $80,643, the local median is 24.84% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be above the median
How Reading Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Reading median: $80,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $77,392 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +24.84% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Reading, PA earn a median of $80,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.84% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 4.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $77,392.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $80,643 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,086 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,200
2025 BLS Actual
$79,860
2026 Current Est.
$80,643
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 22.5% from $65,200 (2019) to $79,860 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,233 (24.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $60,002 – $61,618 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,618 – $80,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,643 – $84,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,692 – $95,628 |
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 Reading
Employment opportunities in Reading are robust, with approximately 1,780 elementary school teachers currently working in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.06, indicating that while housing and other expenses are slightly below the national average, the relative purchasing power remains crucial for budgeting effectively. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts and charter school networks, such as KIPP and Success Academy, typically offer more competitive pay options. Factors contributing to the wage spectrum include district-specific step-and-lane pay scales based on years of service and education, as well as additional stipends for summer school, after-school tutoring, and National Board Certification. Teachers aiming to maximize their earnings may consider pursuing advanced degrees or specialty endorsements and exploring opportunities within higher-paying districts or charter networks.
More salary data for Reading, 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 $79,860 for elementary school teachersin the Reading 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