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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.71/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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