Teacher Salary

Burlington vs Davenport: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Burlington, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, IA
$59,669
$28.69/hr
Davenport, IA
$62,254
$29.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$59,669$62,254
Hourly Rate$28.69$29.93
Entry Level (P10)$47,205$47,471
25th Percentile$54,968$49,884
75th Percentile$74,128$78,381
Top Earner (P90)$91,831$80,622
Total Employed41,760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($59,669) and Davenport ($62,254) elementary school teacher salaries.BurlingtonDavenportMedian Salary$59,669$62,254Entry Level (P10)$47,205$47,471Top Earner (P90)$91,831$80,622US Median $64,597

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burlington.

The salary gap between Burlington and Davenport is $2,585 (4.33%). Davenport's median is -3.63% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $44,626,Davenport spans $33,151. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$47,205
P25$54,968
Median$59,669
P75$74,128
P90 (Top)$91,831
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$47,471
P25$49,884
Median$62,254
P75$78,381
P90 (Top)$80,622

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($69,886 effective) pays 5.88% more than Burlington ($66,006 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $59,669
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $66,006
Davenport
Nominal: $62,254
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $69,886

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,831)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,254/year)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,886)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Burlington grew 9.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.0% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Burlington, IA

+9.8%

$53,817 (2024) → $59,090 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+5.0%

$58,730 (2019) → $61,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Burlington or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,254/year, compared to Burlington at $59,669/year — a difference of $2,585 (4.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Davenport?

Burlington elementary school teachers earn $28.69/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $29.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Davenport as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $66,006, Davenport = $69,886), job availability (4 vs 1,760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Burlington vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,205 in Burlington and $47,471 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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