Elementary School Teacher Salary in Alexandria, VA: $79,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Alexandria, VA earns a median $79,571/year (≈ $38.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $77,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.8% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Elementary school teachers in Alexandria, Virginia, can expect a competitive annual salary of $79,571 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $64,597. The salary range extends from $60,759 at the 10th percentile to a remarkable $123,335 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a substantial disparity based on experience and educational achievement. Alexandria's pay structure closely aligns with a step-and-lane system, where teachers' compensation increases with years of service and degrees earned. Those holding a master's degree or higher can see enhanced placements within this pay scale, making the investment in education particularly beneficial. Such attractive figures reflect the city's commitment to compensating teachers fairly in a market that demands quality educational professionals.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,759 | $29.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,268 | $34.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,571 | $38.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,851 | $48.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,335 | $59.30 |
Median Salary Position
23.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, VA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,576 (2026 est.). At $79,571, the local median is 23.18% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Alexandria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alexandria Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $79,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $61,779 | +28.80% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +23.18% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Alexandria, VA earn a median of $79,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.18% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 28.80% above the Virginia state average of $61,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,571 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,104 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,502
2025 BLS Actual
$78,799
2026 Current Est.
$79,571
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,502 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,067 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,633 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,414 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,799 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,351 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $73,502 (2019) to $78,799 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,849 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $60,759 – $72,268 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,268 – $79,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,571 – $101,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,851 – $123,335 |
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 Alexandria
As of 2026, the job market for elementary school teachers in Alexandria consists of 26 positions, indicating a stable demand for educators amid a cost-of-living index of 103.2. This index suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, teachers must contend with increased living expenses in the region. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for positions in specialty areas like special education and STEM, where shortage stipends can range from 5-15%. To maximize their earning potential, teachers in Alexandria should consider pursuing advanced degrees and National Board Certification, as these credentials often lead to higher salary placements. Additionally, taking advantage of stipends for summer school or after-school programs can boost overall compensation, making strategic professional development essential in navigating the pay structure effectively.
More salary data for Alexandria, VA:
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 $78,799 for elementary school teachersin the Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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