Teacher Salary

Amherst Town vs Worcester: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Amherst Town, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst Town, MA
$80,683
$38.79/hr
Worcester, MA
$83,622
$40.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst Town, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$80,683$83,622
Hourly Rate$38.79$40.20
Entry Level (P10)$52,399$60,760
25th Percentile$63,254$66,374
75th Percentile$85,136$97,759
Top Earner (P90)$97,163$102,919
Total Employed6403,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst Town ($80,683) and Worcester ($83,622) elementary school teacher salaries.Amherst TownWorcesterMedian Salary$80,683$83,622Entry Level (P10)$52,399$60,760Top Earner (P90)$97,163$102,919US Median $64,597

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst Town.

The salary gap between Amherst Town and Worcester is $2,939 (3.64%). Worcester's median is +29.45% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst Town spans $44,764,Worcester spans $42,159. Amherst Town has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Amherst Town
P10 (Entry)$52,399
P25$63,254
Median$80,683
P75$85,136
P90 (Top)$97,163
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$60,760
P25$66,374
Median$83,622
P75$97,759
P90 (Top)$102,919

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($81,564 effective) pays 1.34% more than Amherst Town ($80,487 effective).

Amherst Town
Nominal: $80,683
CoL Index: 100.243
Adjusted: $80,487
Worcester
Nominal: $83,622
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $81,564

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst Town if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,622/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,919)
  • Larger job market (3,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,564)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Amherst Town grew 3.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.5% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Amherst Town, MA

+3.4%

$77,240 (2024) → $79,900 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+20.5%

$68,740 (2019) → $82,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Amherst Town or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $83,622/year, compared to Amherst Town at $80,683/year — a difference of $2,939 (3.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst Town and Worcester?

Amherst Town elementary school teachers earn $38.79/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $40.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst Town to Worcester as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst Town and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst Town = $80,487, Worcester = $81,564), job availability (640 vs 3,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Amherst Town vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $52,399 in Amherst Town and $60,760 in Worcester. The Worcester area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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