Teacher Salary

Dallas vs El Paso: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Dallas, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$65,708
$31.59/hr
El Paso, TX
$64,425
$30.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$65,708$64,425
Hourly Rate$31.59$30.97
Entry Level (P10)$56,943$48,713
25th Percentile$63,375$62,396
75th Percentile$72,706$65,889
Top Earner (P90)$77,088$71,585
Total Employed27,3502,580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($65,708) and El Paso ($64,425) elementary school teacher salaries.DallasEl PasoMedian Salary$65,708$64,425Entry Level (P10)$56,943$48,713Top Earner (P90)$77,088$71,585US Median $64,597

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Paso.

The salary gap between Dallas and El Paso is $1,283 (1.99%). Dallas's median is +1.72% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $20,145,El Paso spans $22,872. El Paso has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$56,943
P25$63,375
Median$65,708
P75$72,706
P90 (Top)$77,088
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$48,713
P25$62,396
Median$64,425
P75$65,889
P90 (Top)$71,585

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, El Paso ($71,653 effective) pays 12.42% more than Dallas ($63,738 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $65,708
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $63,738
El Paso
Nominal: $64,425
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $71,653

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,708/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,088)
  • Larger job market (27,350 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,653)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Dallas grew 12.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.6% growth in El Paso over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+12.2%

$58,020 (2019) → $65,070 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+-3.6%

$66,170 (2019) → $63,800 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Dallas or El Paso?

Dallas has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $65,708/year, compared to El Paso at $64,425/year — a difference of $1,283 (1.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and El Paso?

Dallas elementary school teachers earn $31.59/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $30.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to El Paso as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $63,738, El Paso = $71,653), job availability (27,350 vs 2,580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Dallas vs El Paso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $56,943 in Dallas and $48,713 in El Paso. The Dallas 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