Teacher Salary

Fitchburg vs Milwaukee: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Fitchburg, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fitchburg, WI
$60,837
$29.24/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$62,083
$29.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFitchburg, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$60,837$62,083
Hourly Rate$29.24$29.85
Entry Level (P10)$47,242$50,833
25th Percentile$55,427$52,712
75th Percentile$77,116$81,249
Top Earner (P90)$94,298$98,385
Total Employed66,620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fitchburg ($60,837) and Milwaukee ($62,083) elementary school teacher salaries.FitchburgMilwaukeeMedian Salary$60,837$62,083Entry Level (P10)$47,242$50,833Top Earner (P90)$94,298$98,385US Median $64,597

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fitchburg.

The salary gap between Fitchburg and Milwaukee is $1,246 (2.05%). Milwaukee's median is -3.89% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fitchburg spans $47,056,Milwaukee spans $47,552. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Fitchburg
P10 (Entry)$47,242
P25$55,427
Median$60,837
P75$77,116
P90 (Top)$94,298
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$50,833
P25$52,712
Median$62,083
P75$81,249
P90 (Top)$98,385

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fitchburg ($65,136 effective) pays 1.70% more than Milwaukee ($64,045 effective).

Fitchburg
Nominal: $60,837
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $65,136
Milwaukee
Nominal: $62,083
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $64,045

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fitchburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,136)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,083/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,385)
  • Larger job market (6,620 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Fitchburg grew 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3.7% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Fitchburg, WI

+4.6%

$57,571 (2024) → $60,247 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+3.7%

$59,290 (2019) → $61,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Fitchburg or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $62,083/year, compared to Fitchburg at $60,837/year — a difference of $1,246 (2.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fitchburg and Milwaukee?

Fitchburg elementary school teachers earn $29.24/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $29.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fitchburg to Milwaukee as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fitchburg and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fitchburg = $65,136, Milwaukee = $64,045), job availability (6 vs 6,620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Fitchburg vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,242 in Fitchburg and $50,833 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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