Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $37.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Denver, CO runs $37.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,664 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,603 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, the hourly pay for elementary school teachers is projected to be $37.34 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $31.06. This robust hourly rate suggests a favorable financial landscape for educators considering part-time or per diem positions. Teachers working three days a week may find a lucrative opportunity in settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education programs, or after-school tutoring, where the flexibility of hours allows for a balance between work and personal life. For those at the entry level, hourly pay starts at $24.50, while experienced educators can earn as much as $49.25 per hour. Official projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), based on 2025 data, underscore the competitive nature of the Denver market for elementary school teacher hourly pay.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.50 | $195.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.72 | $237.75 |
| Median (P50) | $37.34 | $298.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.87 | $326.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.25 | $393.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $37.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.34/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $77,672 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,811. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,493.70 | $6,473 | $77,672 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $896.22 | $3,884 | $46,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.48 | $2,589 | $31,069 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Denver) | $37.34 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $77,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.23% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 24.00% above the Colorado state average of $62,632.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.34/hr = $46,603/year (purchasing power: $44,056).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,672/year (purchasing power: $73,427).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Denver grew 37.2% from $26.96/hr (2019) to $36.98/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.71/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 Denver 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 Denver
Examining the earning potential for teachers opting for a three-day workweek reveals substantial differences compared to full-time staff. A part-time educator, working 24 hours across three days, could earn around $46,525 annually, providing a decent livelihood, albeit less than their full-time peers. In contrast, per-diem opportunities in Denver present varied compensation, with substitute teachers earning between $100 and $200 per day in public districts. Long-term substitutes can command daily rates of $140 to $250. Tutoring platforms typically pay $30 to $80 per hour, while specialized private tutoring can reach up to $200 per hour. Hourly wages also differ substantially across various educational institutions; K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions may offer different rates, often reflecting the trade-offs between salary and benefits. Teachers might accept lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive health coverage. For localized negotiating tips, staying informed about district pay scales and leveraging any additional certifications, such as National Board Certification, can be advantageous.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 Denver. 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