Elementary School Teacher Salary in Wisconsin: $62,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $62,069/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,455 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Madison ($63,690), Waukesha ($62,255), Onalaska ($61,503).
In 2026, elementary school teachers in Wisconsin are projected to earn an average median salary of $62,068, which is 3.9% lower than the national median of $64,597. This disparity highlights the varying financial landscapes across regions. The highest-paying city for teachers in the state is Madison, offering a salary of $64,314, whereas Wisconsin Rapids reflects the lowest at $56,108—indicating a salary gap of $8,206. Factors influencing this difference include the cost of living, local school district budgets, and demand for educators in specific areas. Wisconsin has state-specific licensing requirements that teachers must meet, including earning a bachelor's degree and obtaining a license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Additionally, scope of practice laws can impact the responsibilities teachers assume, influencing job satisfaction and retention. There is a steady demand for teachers as shown by the projected growth rate of 0.98%, indicating a continued need for qualified educators. Major cities like Waukesha, Onalaska, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan follow Madison in salary scales, with wages ranging from $61,709 to $62,865. Understanding these dynamics can aid prospective teachers in making informed career choices in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $43,512 (lowest entry-level) to $101,404 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin elementary school teachers earn 3.91% less than the national median ($-2,528/year difference).
Wisconsin Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Wisconsin range from $50,398 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,099 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,069. The Wisconsin median is $2,528 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $29.84/hr. Approximately 17,969 elementary school teachers are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,342
2025 BLS Actual
$61,466
2026 Current Est.
$62,069
2019–2027 Growth
+7.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,749 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,412 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,466 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,677 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 5.4% from $58,342 (2019) to $61,466 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,677 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,335 (7.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $56,108 |
| Middleton | $56,577 |
| Platteville | $57,184 |
| Mequon | $57,189 |
| River Falls | $57,663 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $62,865 | 93.4 | $67,307 |
| La Crosse | $61,285 | 91.769 | $66,782 |
| Onalaska | $62,106 | 93.4 | $66,495 |
| Appleton | $61,436 | 92.419 | $66,476 |
| Madison | $64,314 | 97.287 | $66,107 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,398 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,069 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,099 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $64,314 |
| 2 | Waukesha | $62,865 |
| 3 | Onalaska | $62,106 |
| 4 | Milwaukee | $62,083 |
| 5 | Sheboygan | $61,709 |
| 6 | Appleton | $61,436 |
| 7 | Racine | $61,436 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant | $61,345 |
| 9 | La Crosse | $61,285 |
| 10 | West Allis | $61,243 |
| 11 | Green Bay | $61,194 |
| 12 | Kenosha | $61,123 |
| 13 | Beloit | $60,948 |
| 14 | Eau Claire | $60,931 |
| 15 | Fitchburg | $60,837 |
| 16 | Greenfield | $60,832 |
| 17 | Janesville | $60,810 |
| 18 | Oshkosh | $60,739 |
| 19 | Fond du Lac | $60,507 |
| 20 | Menomonee Falls | $60,305 |
| 21 | Brookfield | $60,163 |
| 22 | West Bend | $60,130 |
| 23 | Wausau | $60,083 |
| 24 | De Pere | $60,082 |
| 25 | New Berlin | $59,968 |
| 26 | Sun Prairie | $59,460 |
| 27 | Caledonia | $59,298 |
| 28 | Muskego | $59,170 |
| 29 | Stevens Point | $58,896 |
| 30 | Franklin | $58,829 |
| 31 | Oak Creek | $58,643 |
| 32 | Superior | $58,553 |
| 33 | Manitowoc | $58,525 |
| 34 | Pewaukee | $58,307 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $58,136 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $58,127 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $58,068 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $58,062 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $58,012 |
| 40 | Germantown | $57,971 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $57,948 |
| 42 | River Falls | $57,663 |
| 43 | Mequon | $57,189 |
| 44 | Platteville | $57,184 |
| 45 | Middleton | $56,577 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $56,108 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in Wisconsin?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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