Teacher Salary

Cheyenne vs Gillette: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Cheyenne, WY and Gillette, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cheyenne, WY
$61,749
$29.69/hr
Gillette, WY
$58,627
$28.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCheyenne, WYGillette, WY
Median Salary$61,749$58,627
Hourly Rate$29.69$28.18
Entry Level (P10)$52,419$45,696
25th Percentile$61,749$53,539
75th Percentile$75,785$74,348
Top Earner (P90)$75,785$90,872
Total Employed3809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cheyenne ($61,749) and Gillette ($58,627) elementary school teacher salaries.CheyenneGilletteMedian Salary$61,749$58,627Entry Level (P10)$52,419$45,696Top Earner (P90)$75,785$90,872US Median $64,597

Verdict

Cheyenne, WY offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gillette.

The salary gap between Cheyenne and Gillette is $3,122 (5.33%). Cheyenne's median is -4.41% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cheyenne spans $23,366,Gillette spans $45,176. Gillette has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Cheyenne
P10 (Entry)$52,419
P25$61,749
Median$61,749
P75$75,785
P90 (Top)$75,785
Gillette
P10 (Entry)$45,696
P25$53,539
Median$58,627
P75$74,348
P90 (Top)$90,872

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cheyenne ($63,995 effective) pays 4.57% more than Gillette ($61,197 effective).

Cheyenne
Nominal: $61,749
CoL Index: 96.491
Adjusted: $63,995
Gillette
Nominal: $58,627
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $61,197

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cheyenne if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,749/year)
  • Larger job market (380 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,995)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Gillette if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($90,872)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Cheyenne grew 0.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.2% growth in Gillette over the same period.

Cheyenne, WY

+0.3%

$60,940 (2019) → $61,150 (2025)

Gillette, WY

+3.2%

$56,271 (2024) → $58,058 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Cheyenne or Gillette?

Cheyenne has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,749/year, compared to Gillette at $58,627/year — a difference of $3,122 (5.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cheyenne and Gillette?

Cheyenne elementary school teachers earn $29.69/hr while Gillette hygienists earn $28.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cheyenne to Gillette as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cheyenne and Gillette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cheyenne = $63,995, Gillette = $61,197), job availability (380 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Cheyenne vs Gillette?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $52,419 in Cheyenne and $45,696 in Gillette. The Cheyenne 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