Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $30.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $30.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,684 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,605 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the projected hourly pay for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $30.13, which is slightly below the national median of $31.06. This hourly rate offers various options for educators seeking part-time work, such as those teaching three days a week or taking on per-diem roles in settings like K-12 classrooms, summer school programs, or tutoring sessions. The hourly compensation ranges from $22.29 for entry-level positions to $46.71 for more experienced educators, which effectively reflects the educational and experiential differences in Cedar Falls. These figures are derived from annual salaries, allowing teachers to gauge their earnings accurately within the competitive context of both public and private education settings.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.29 | $178.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.49 | $227.89 |
| Median (P50) | $30.13 | $241.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.40 | $299.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.71 | $373.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $30.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.13/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $62,675 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,159. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.30 | $5,223 | $62,675 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.18 | $3,134 | $37,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.12 | $2,089 | $25,070 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Cedar Falls) | $30.13 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $62,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.90% above the Iowa state average of $62,125.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.13/hr = $37,605/year (purchasing power: $41,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,675/year (purchasing power: $69,331).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Cedar Falls grew 7.2% from $27.83/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.43/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Looking at the financial picture for part-time elementary school teachers in Cedar Falls, educators working a 24-hour week—typical for those serving three days—can expect to earn around $34,095 annually. This contrasts sharply with full-time teachers who may secure benefits but often work longer hours. It's crucial to note that per-diem teachers can expect daily rates ranging from $100 to $250, depending on the local district and assignment duration. Unique pay structures appear across different types of educational institutions, with public schools often adhering to a step-and-lane model, while charter networks and private schools may offer flexibility in pay but sometimes lack benefits that standardize income. Teachers often face trade-offs between securing a steady paycheck with benefits and pursuing higher hourly rates in less stable arrangements such as tutoring. Therefore, negotiating pay in Cedar Falls requires an understanding of the local market and an awareness of how benefits factor into overall compensation strategies.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
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 Cedar Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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