Teacher Salary

Germantown vs Madison: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Germantown, WI
$57,971
$27.87/hr
Madison, WI
$64,314
$30.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$57,971$64,314
Hourly Rate$27.87$30.92
Entry Level (P10)$44,764$51,843
25th Percentile$54,702$60,467
75th Percentile$73,238$77,856
Top Earner (P90)$89,854$101,404
Total Employed63,530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($57,971) and Madison ($64,314) elementary school teacher salaries.GermantownMadisonMedian Salary$57,971$64,314Entry Level (P10)$44,764$51,843Top Earner (P90)$89,854$101,404US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Germantown and Madison is $6,343 (10.94%). Madison's median is -0.44% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $45,090,Madison spans $49,561. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$44,764
P25$54,702
Median$57,971
P75$73,238
P90 (Top)$89,854
Madison
P10 (Entry)$51,843
P25$60,467
Median$64,314
P75$77,856
P90 (Top)$101,404

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($66,107 effective) pays 6.51% more than Germantown ($62,067 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $57,971
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $62,067
Madison
Nominal: $64,314
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $66,107

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,314/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,404)
  • Larger job market (3,530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,107)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Germantown grew 4.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.9% growth in Madison over the same period.

Germantown, WI

+4.6%

$54,858 (2024) → $57,408 (2025)

Madison, WI

+12.9%

$56,390 (2019) → $63,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Germantown or Madison?

Madison has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $64,314/year, compared to Germantown at $57,971/year — a difference of $6,343 (10.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Madison?

Germantown elementary school teachers earn $27.87/hr while Madison hygienists earn $30.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Madison as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $62,067, Madison = $66,107), job availability (6 vs 3,530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Germantown vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,764 in Germantown and $51,843 in Madison. The Madison 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