Elementary School Teacher Salary in Waco, TX: $59,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Waco, TX earns a median $59,679/year (≈ $28.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $64,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waco, Texas, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is set at $59,679, representing a notable difference compared to the national median of $64,597. This gap highlights the cost of living dynamic in the region, which is reflected in Waco's lower cost of living index of 92.55. Salaries for elementary educators in Waco range from $47,713 at the 10th percentile to $63,314 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing the diversity of compensation based on experience and qualifications. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that while local salaries may lag behind the national average, the relative affordability of living in Waco offers a counterbalance for aspiring educators considering this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,713 | $22.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,550 | $24.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,679 | $28.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,103 | $29.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,314 | $30.44 |
Median Salary Position
7.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,601 (2026 est.). At $59,679, the local median is 7.61% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Waco Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Waco median: $59,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $60,835 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -7.61% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Waco, TX earn a median of $59,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.61% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.90% below the Texas state average of $60,835.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $59,679 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,483 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,410
2025 BLS Actual
$59,100
2026 Current Est.
$59,679
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 22.1% from $48,410 (2019) to $59,100 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,854 (24.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $47,713 – $51,550 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,550 – $59,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,679 – $61,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,103 – $63,314 |
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 Waco
Analyzing the local job market reveals that approximately 1,180 elementary school teachers are currently employed in Waco, TX. This level of employment signifies a robust demand for educators despite the area's competitive pay spectrum. The cost of living, being lower than the national average, positively affects the purchasing power of these teachers. Notably, larger K-12 public school districts, as well as charter networks like KIPP, may offer more competitive compensation packages, potentially including stipends for special education or STEM roles. Understanding the pay structure is essential; while the step-and-lane system rewards experience and higher education, candidates should consider attaining National Board Certification or pursuing advanced degrees to enhance their salary potential. For those capitalizing on local opportunities, participating in summer school programs or after-school tutoring can provide additional income, making it possible for educators to significantly boost their total compensation in Waco.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $59,100 for elementary school teachersin the Waco 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