Elementary School Teacher Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $62,083 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $62,083/year (≈ $29.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $64,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Milwaukee's elementary school teacher salary in 2026 is projected at $62,083, falling slightly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range for educators in the region spans from $50,833 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $98,385 for those at the higher end (90th percentile). According to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, shortage stipends for roles in special education, STEM, and bilingual education can enhance base salaries significantly. This is especially relevant in a job market where the demand for qualified teachers is growing. Therefore, understanding these dynamics is key to navigating compensation effectively within Milwaukee's educational sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,833 | $24.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,712 | $25.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,083 | $29.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,249 | $39.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,385 | $47.30 |
Median Salary Position
3.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,552 (2026 est.). At $62,083, the local median is 3.89% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Milwaukee Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $62,083/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,165 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -3.89% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $62,083 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.89% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $62,083 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,045 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,290
2025 BLS Actual
$61,480
2026 Current Est.
$62,083
2019–2027 Growth
+5.7%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,083 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,691 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 3.7% from $59,290 (2019) to $61,480 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,691 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,401 (5.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $50,833 – $52,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,712 – $62,083 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,083 – $81,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,249 – $98,385 |
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 Milwaukee
A total of 6,620 elementary school teachers are currently employed in Milwaukee, reflecting a stable job market for this occupation despite the challenges educators often face. The local cost of living, indexed at 96.937, means that while salaries are competitive, teachers may find their purchasing power influenced by regional economic conditions. Within the area, K-12 public school districts, especially larger ones, tend to compensate better compared to private schools, which can vary in pay scale. Factors contributing to salary discrepancies include the step-and-lane pay structure, specialized teacher shortage stipends, and opportunities for tutoring or summer school contracts. To optimize earnings, teachers should consider pursuing additional qualifications such as National Board Certification or advanced degrees, as these can lead to higher positions on the pay scale and enhance overall compensation in this vibrant Milwaukee sector.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
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 $61,480 for elementary school teachersin the Milwaukee 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