Teacher Salary

Gettysburg vs Philadelphia: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Gettysburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gettysburg, PA
$76,189
$36.63/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$79,340
$38.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGettysburg, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$76,189$79,340
Hourly Rate$36.63$38.14
Entry Level (P10)$58,659$59,225
25th Percentile$62,890$61,901
75th Percentile$80,562$98,365
Top Earner (P90)$94,043$101,929
Total Employed38023,380
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gettysburg ($76,189) and Philadelphia ($79,340) elementary school teacher salaries.GettysburgPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$76,189$79,340Entry Level (P10)$58,659$59,225Top Earner (P90)$94,043$101,929US Median $64,597

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gettysburg.

The salary gap between Gettysburg and Philadelphia is $3,151 (4.14%). Philadelphia's median is +22.82% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gettysburg spans $35,384,Philadelphia spans $42,704. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Gettysburg
P10 (Entry)$58,659
P25$62,890
Median$76,189
P75$80,562
P90 (Top)$94,043
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$59,225
P25$61,901
Median$79,340
P75$98,365
P90 (Top)$101,929

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gettysburg ($79,880 effective) pays 3.25% more than Philadelphia ($77,364 effective).

Gettysburg
Nominal: $76,189
CoL Index: 95.379
Adjusted: $79,880
Philadelphia
Nominal: $79,340
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $77,364

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gettysburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,880)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,340/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,929)
  • Larger job market (23,380 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Gettysburg grew 20.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Gettysburg, PA

+20.5%

$62,640 (2019) → $75,450 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+11.4%

$70,530 (2019) → $78,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Gettysburg or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $79,340/year, compared to Gettysburg at $76,189/year — a difference of $3,151 (4.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gettysburg and Philadelphia?

Gettysburg elementary school teachers earn $36.63/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $38.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gettysburg to Philadelphia as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gettysburg and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gettysburg = $79,880, Philadelphia = $77,364), job availability (380 vs 23,380 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Gettysburg vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $58,659 in Gettysburg and $59,225 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 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