Teacher Salary

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $28.44 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Little Rock, AR runs $28.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,154 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,488 per year.

$59,154
Median Annual Salary
$28.44/hr
Hourly Rate
$49,864
Entry Level (P10)
$72,918
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Rate in Little Rock, AR — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Little Rock, AR elementary school teacher hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Little Rock, Arkansas, the elementary school teacher hourly pay stands at a median of $28.44, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.06. This disparity means that teachers working part-time in various educational settings, such as K-12 classrooms, special education, and after-school programs, may have to be strategic about their schedules to maximize their income. For example, a teacher working a typical three-day workweek could leverage this hourly rate for a more flexible lifestyle, but the trade-off is a reduced weekly paycheck. Entry-level teachers can expect an hourly rate around $23.97, while those in top-tier positions may earn as much as $35.06 per hour, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This range reflects the various roles teachers can hold, from tutoring to mentoring in summer school programs or professional development sessions.

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$23.97$191.78
Lower Range (P25)$25.06$200.51
Median (P50)$28.44$227.49
Upper Range (P75)$29.95$239.61
Top Earners (P90)$35.06$280.48

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock

Based on $28.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a elementary school teacher in Little Rock earning $28.44/hr would make approximately $34,123 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $59,147 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$34,123Reduced (32 hr/wk)$45,498Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$59,147

At $28.44/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $59,147 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,123. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$227.49
per 8hr shift
$1,137.44
per week
$4,929
per month
$59,147
per year

Schedule Comparison in Little Rock

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,137.44$4,929$59,147
Part-Time (24 hrs)$682.46$2,957$35,488
Per Diem (16 hrs)$454.98$1,972$23,659

Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Elementary School Teacher (Little Rock)$28.44
Middle School Teacher (National Avg)$32.16
High School Teacher (National Avg)$33.55
Preschool Teacher (National Avg)$18.53
Special Education Teacher (National Avg)$32.74
Horizontal bar chart comparing elementary school teacher median salary in Little Rock ($59,154) with Arkansas average ($58,280) and the US national median ($64,597).Little Rock$59,154Arkansas Avg$58,280+1.50%US National$64,597-8.43%

Elementary School Teachers in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $59,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.43% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% above the Arkansas state average of $58,280.

Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $28.44/hr = $35,488/year (purchasing power: $39,712).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,147/year (purchasing power: $66,186).

CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$24.58/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$28.16/hr

2026 Current Est.

$28.44/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+16.8%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Little Rock (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for elementary school teachers in Little Rock. Baseline $24.58/hr in 2025, projected to $28.71/hr by 2027.$22$24$26$28$302019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$24.58$24.69$23.39$23.82$25.31$24.53$28.16$28.44$28.71
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$24.58/hrActual
2020$24.69/hrActual
2021$23.39/hrActual
2022$23.82/hrActual
2023$25.31/hrActual
2024$24.53/hrActual
2025$28.16/hrActual
2026(current)$28.44/hrEstimated
2027$28.71/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Little Rock grew 14.6% from $24.58/hr (2019) to $28.16/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Little Rock

Turning to the analysis of earnings, part-time elementary school teachers who work a three-day-per-week schedule (24 hours) would take home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. On average, their income could be about $36,000, depending on additional factors like extra duties or student tutoring. Some teachers opt for per diem roles, which may involve substitute teaching, where the pay typically ranges from $100 to $200 per day. For long-term substitute positions, the rate increases to between $140 and $250 daily. Furthermore, tutoring platforms provide significant opportunities to earn higher rates, with pay ranging from $30 to $80 per hour for those teaching specific subjects or preparing students for exams. The compensation structure greatly depends on the type of institution—public districts, private schools, or charter networks—and influences decisions on work hours. Additionally, some teachers prefer roles with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, highlighting the importance of strategic negotiation. In a city like Little Rock, balancing hourly earnings with benefits is essential for educators aiming for long-term stability in their careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Little Rock in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Little Rock is $28.44/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 0.98% annual growth). Rates range from $23.97 at entry level (10th percentile) to $35.06 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 8.4% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Little Rock?

A part-time elementary school teacher working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Little Rock earns approximately $2,957/month, or $35,488/year at the median hourly rate of $28.44. Many elementary school teachers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are elementary school teachers in Little Rock paid hourly or salary?

The majority of elementary school teachers in Little Rock are paid hourly at a median rate of $28.44/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $59,147/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Little Rock?

A full-time elementary school teacher working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Little Rock earns approximately $59,147/year at the median hourly rate of $28.44. This is 8.4% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $72,925/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Little Rock?

Part-time and per diem elementary school teachers in Little Rock sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $35.06/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Arkansas

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

Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).

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

Last verified: