Elementary School Teacher Salary in York, PA: $80,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in York, PA earns a median $80,511/year (≈ $38.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in York's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $83,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In York, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 stands at $80,511, exceeding the national median of $64,597 by a significant margin of 24.64%. With a salary range from $51,116 at the 10th percentile to $95,436 at the 90th percentile, the opportunities for educators in various experience and educational backgrounds are apparent. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which reflect the competitive nature of the local job market. Specifically, the structured salary scale employed in York's public school districts incentivizes ongoing professional development, with higher placement available for teachers holding advanced degrees, such as a master’s or master’s +30 credits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,116 | $24.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,810 | $29.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,511 | $38.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,436 | $45.89 |
Median Salary Position
24.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in York
In York, PA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,320 (2026 est.). At $80,511, the local median is 24.64% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in York: You'd be above the median
How York Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
York median: $80,511/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | York Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $77,415 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +24.64% more |
Elementary School Teachers in York, PA earn a median of $80,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.64% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 4.00% above the Pennsylvania state average of $77,415.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
York has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
York, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $80,511 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,910
2025 BLS Actual
$79,730
2026 Current Est.
$80,511
2019–2027 Growth
+10.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,300 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the York metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.9% from $73,910 (2019) to $79,730 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,300 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,390 (10.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the York 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) | $51,116 – $61,810 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,810 – $80,511 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,511 – $93,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,720 – $95,436 |
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 York
In analyzing the local job market, York employs approximately 2,260 elementary school teachers, indicating a stable demand for qualified educators even amidst economic fluctuations. The area's cost of living index sits at 96, which is below the national average, providing teachers with enhanced purchasing power relative to their salaries. While K-12 public school districts typically pay the most in this region, charter schools and private institutions may offer variable compensation reflective of their unique operational models. Salary disparities can be attributed to factors such as the step-and-lane pay structure, which rewards longevity and educational attainment, along with potential stipends for teachers in hard-to-fill roles like special education or STEM. To optimize earnings, candidates should consider pursuing advanced certifications or taking on additional roles, such as tutoring or coaching, which can lead to supplemental income opportunities in York's educational landscape.
More salary data for York, 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 $79,730 for elementary school teachersin the York 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