Teacher Salary

Fort Wayne vs Greenwood: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Greenwood, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$60,386
$29.03/hr
Greenwood, IN
$59,835
$28.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INGreenwood, IN
Median Salary$60,386$59,835
Hourly Rate$29.03$28.77
Entry Level (P10)$47,774$45,483
25th Percentile$49,733$53,999
75th Percentile$73,776$76,588
Top Earner (P90)$80,219$92,744
Total Employed1,98015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($60,386) and Greenwood ($59,835) elementary school teacher salaries.Fort WayneGreenwoodMedian Salary$60,386$59,835Entry Level (P10)$47,774$45,483Top Earner (P90)$80,219$92,744US Median $64,597

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenwood.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Greenwood is $551 (0.92%). Fort Wayne's median is -6.52% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $32,445,Greenwood spans $47,261. Greenwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$47,774
P25$49,733
Median$60,386
P75$73,776
P90 (Top)$80,219
Greenwood
P10 (Entry)$45,483
P25$53,999
Median$59,835
P75$76,588
P90 (Top)$92,744

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenwood ($65,537 effective) pays 0.47% more than Fort Wayne ($65,231 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $60,386
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $65,231
Greenwood
Nominal: $59,835
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $65,537

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,386/year)
  • Larger job market (1,980 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Greenwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,744)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,537)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Fort Wayne grew 19.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.4% growth in Greenwood over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+19.8%

$49,910 (2019) → $59,800 (2025)

Greenwood, IN

+15.4%

$51,336 (2024) → $59,254 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Fort Wayne or Greenwood?

Fort Wayne has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,386/year, compared to Greenwood at $59,835/year — a difference of $551 (0.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Greenwood?

Fort Wayne elementary school teachers earn $29.03/hr while Greenwood hygienists earn $28.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Greenwood as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Greenwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $65,231, Greenwood = $65,537), job availability (1,980 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Fort Wayne vs Greenwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,774 in Fort Wayne and $45,483 in Greenwood. The Fort Wayne 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