Teacher Salary

Roseburg vs Salem: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Roseburg, OR and Salem, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Roseburg, OR
$70,939
$34.10/hr
Salem, OR
$75,543
$36.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoseburg, ORSalem, OR
Median Salary$70,939$75,543
Hourly Rate$34.10$36.32
Entry Level (P10)$54,083$48,036
25th Percentile$68,105$59,578
75th Percentile$89,252$92,558
Top Earner (P90)$109,956$96,799
Total Employed61,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roseburg ($70,939) and Salem ($75,543) elementary school teacher salaries.RoseburgSalemMedian Salary$70,939$75,543Entry Level (P10)$54,083$48,036Top Earner (P90)$109,956$96,799US Median $64,597

Verdict

Salem, OR offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roseburg.

The salary gap between Roseburg and Salem is $4,604 (6.49%). Salem's median is +16.95% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roseburg spans $55,873,Salem spans $48,763. Roseburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roseburg
P10 (Entry)$54,083
P25$68,105
Median$70,939
P75$89,252
P90 (Top)$109,956
Salem
P10 (Entry)$48,036
P25$59,578
Median$75,543
P75$92,558
P90 (Top)$96,799

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($72,883 effective) pays 5.41% more than Roseburg ($69,141 effective).

Roseburg
Nominal: $70,939
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $69,141
Salem
Nominal: $75,543
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $72,883

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roseburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,956)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,543/year)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,883)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Roseburg grew -6.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.2% growth in Salem over the same period.

Roseburg, OR

+-6.9%

$75,428 (2024) → $70,251 (2025)

Salem, OR

+16.2%

$64,380 (2019) → $74,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Roseburg or Salem?

Salem has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $75,543/year, compared to Roseburg at $70,939/year — a difference of $4,604 (6.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roseburg and Salem?

Roseburg elementary school teachers earn $34.10/hr while Salem hygienists earn $36.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roseburg to Salem as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roseburg and Salem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roseburg = $69,141, Salem = $72,883), job availability (6 vs 1,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Roseburg vs Salem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $54,083 in Roseburg and $48,036 in Salem. The Roseburg 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