Elementary School Teacher Salary in Dallas, TX: $65,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Dallas, TX earns a median $65,708/year (≈ $31.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Dallas's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.1), that paycheck buys what $63,738 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Dallas is projected to reach a median of $65,708, reflecting a premium associated with the higher cost of living in the area. The salary range for teachers spans from $56,943 at the 10th percentile to $77,088 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. With the national median salary for elementary school teachers at $64,597, educators in Dallas can expect to earn approximately 1.72% more than the national average. This financial context highlights the need for competitive compensation strategies to attract and retain teaching talent in a city marked by rising costs and considerable job demand in education.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,943 | $27.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,375 | $30.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,708 | $31.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,706 | $34.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,088 | $37.06 |
Median Salary Position
1.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dallas
In Dallas, TX, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,145 (2026 est.). At $65,708, the local median is 1.72% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dallas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dallas Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Dallas median: $65,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dallas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $60,840 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +1.72% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Dallas, TX earn a median of $65,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.72% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 8.00% above the Texas state average of $60,840.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dallas has a cost of living 3.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dallas, TX has a cost-of-living index of 103.09 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,708 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,738 — a 3% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,020
2025 BLS Actual
$65,070
2026 Current Est.
$65,708
2019–2027 Growth
+14.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,352 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dallas metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 12.2% from $58,020 (2019) to $65,070 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,352 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,332 (14.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dallas 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) | $56,943 – $63,375 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,375 – $65,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,708 – $72,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,706 – $77,088 |
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 Dallas
In Dallas, the local job market for elementary school teachers is robust, with about 27,350 educators currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index, which stands at 103.09, indicates that the expenses associated with housing and daily living are higher than the national average, impacting overall purchasing power. Employers such as K-12 public school districts often lead in salary offerings, particularly for experienced teachers on step-and-lane salary schedules. Other options like charter schools and private institutions may vary significantly in pay, dependent not only on their funding models but also on specific roles and shortage areas that attract stipends. To maximize earnings, educators in Dallas should consider pursuing advanced degrees, acquiring National Board Certification, or seeking positions in high-demand subjects like special education or STEM, which often come with additional compensation incentives. This strategic approach can enhance their earning potential in a competitive market.
More salary data for Dallas, TX:
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 $65,070 for elementary school teachersin the Dallas 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