Elementary School Teacher Salary in West Warwick, RI: $64,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in West Warwick, RI earns a median $64,179/year (≈ $30.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in West Warwick's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $63,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for an elementary school teacher in West Warwick, Rhode Island, is projected to be $64,179, slightly below the national median of $64,597. Teachers in this area can expect to earn between $49,160 and $99,164, indicating a wide range of pay influenced by experience, education, and specialization. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state data adjusted for regional price levels, reveal a market where competitive stipends are available for teachers in critical shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education. Given the growing demands for these specialties, teachers may find additional annual compensation is available, demonstrating a real opportunity for educators looking to maximize their earnings in West Warwick.
About the West Warwick Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,160 | $23.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,021 | $27.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,179 | $30.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,458 | $38.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,164 | $47.67 |
Median Salary Position
0.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Warwick
In West Warwick, RI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,004 (2026 est.). At $64,179, the local median is 0.65% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Warwick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Warwick Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
West Warwick median: $64,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Warwick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $64,893 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -0.65% less |
Elementary School Teachers in West Warwick, RI earn a median of $64,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.65% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $64,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Warwick has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Warwick, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,179 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,860 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,284
2025 BLS Actual
$63,556
2026 Current Est.
$64,179
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in West Warwick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,284 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,546 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,291 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,268 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,495 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,808 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Warwick metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $59,284 (2019) to $63,556 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,808 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,524 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Warwick 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) | $49,160 – $58,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,021 – $64,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,179 – $79,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,458 – $99,164 |
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 West Warwick
The job market for elementary school teachers in West Warwick shows a stable environment with seven professionals currently employed. The cost of living index, slightly above the national average at 100.5, indicates that while salaries may reflect regional requirements, purchasing power could be tighter than expected. Local public school districts generally follow a step-and-lane pay structure based on years of experience and educational attainment, which can create a significant pay scale variance. Among educational institutions, K-12 public schools tend to offer more robust salaries compared to private or charter schools, particularly with potential stipends for those certified in high-need areas. Teachers can enhance their compensation packages by pursuing advanced certifications like National Board Certification or taking on tutoring and coaching roles, effectively leveraging their skills and experience to increase their overall pay in this competitive local market.
More salary data for West Warwick, RI:
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 $63,556 for elementary school teachersin the West Warwick 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
Salary data for West Warwick is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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