Teacher Salary

Binghamton vs Rochester: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Binghamton, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Binghamton, NY
$77,290
$37.16/hr
Rochester, NY
$63,456
$30.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBinghamton, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$77,290$63,456
Hourly Rate$37.16$30.51
Entry Level (P10)$54,943$48,581
25th Percentile$61,497$58,316
75th Percentile$80,582$79,976
Top Earner (P90)$101,253$93,578
Total Employed9805,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Binghamton ($77,290) and Rochester ($63,456) elementary school teacher salaries.BinghamtonRochesterMedian Salary$77,290$63,456Entry Level (P10)$54,943$48,581Top Earner (P90)$101,253$93,578US Median $64,597

Verdict

Binghamton, NY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Binghamton and Rochester is $13,834 (21.80%). Binghamton's median is +19.65% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Binghamton spans $46,310,Rochester spans $44,997. Binghamton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Binghamton
P10 (Entry)$54,943
P25$61,497
Median$77,290
P75$80,582
P90 (Top)$101,253
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$48,581
P25$58,316
Median$63,456
P75$79,976
P90 (Top)$93,578

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Binghamton ($83,230 effective) pays 27.27% more than Rochester ($65,395 effective).

Binghamton
Nominal: $77,290
CoL Index: 92.863
Adjusted: $83,230
Rochester
Nominal: $63,456
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $65,395

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Binghamton if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,290/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,253)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,230)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (5,100 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Binghamton grew 2.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.3% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Binghamton, NY

+2.8%

$74,480 (2019) → $76,540 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+0.3%

$62,680 (2019) → $62,840 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Binghamton or Rochester?

Binghamton has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,290/year, compared to Rochester at $63,456/year — a difference of $13,834 (21.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Binghamton and Rochester?

Binghamton elementary school teachers earn $37.16/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $30.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Binghamton to Rochester as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Binghamton and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Binghamton = $83,230, Rochester = $65,395), job availability (980 vs 5,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Binghamton vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $54,943 in Binghamton and $48,581 in Rochester. The Binghamton 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