Elementary School Teacher Salary in Puerto Rico: $54,114 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $54,114/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,152 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Arecibo ($61,230), Ponce ($59,660), Aguadilla ($59,650).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Puerto Rico is projected to be $54,114, which is significantly lower than the national median of $64,597, representing a salary gap of 16.2%. The highest paying city, Arecibo, offers salaries up to $61,830, while the lowest, San Juan, reflects a salary of $51,803. The disparity in compensation across cities can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, local funding for education, and demand for teachers in specific areas. To teach in Puerto Rico, educators must meet state licensing requirements, which include obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education and passing relevant exams. Current demand for elementary teachers continues to be strong, with a projected annual growth rate of 0.98% based on 2025 data, reflecting stability in the job market and ongoing need for educational professionals across the territory. The projected salaries in other key cities reflect this market landscape: Ponce at $60,245, Aguadilla at $60,235, Guayama at $54,075, and Mayaguez at $52,631. These figures indicate that while opportunities exist, salary expectations should be aligned with the economic conditions and educational funding within specific locales in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $22,054 (lowest entry-level) to $75,947 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico elementary school teachers earn 16.23% less than the national median ($-10,483/year difference).
Puerto Rico Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Puerto Rico range from $29,992 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,698 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $54,114. The Puerto Rico median is $10,483 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $26.01/hr. Approximately 4,110 elementary school teachers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,383
2025 BLS Actual
$53,589
2026 Current Est.
$54,114
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,383 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,373 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,114 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,645 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 51.5% from $35,383 (2019) to $53,589 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,645 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,262 (54.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico
Lowest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $29,992 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $54,114 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,698 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Puerto Rico cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
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How does Puerto Rico elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Puerto Rico?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 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