Elementary School Teacher Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $54,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $54,428/year (≈ $26.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $54,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.3% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected earnings for elementary school teachers in Flagstaff, Arizona, present a comprehensive view of compensation within a competitive market. The median annual salary stands at $54,428, which is approximately 15.74% lower than the national median of $64,597. Salary figures range from $41,412 at the 10th percentile to $61,911 at the 90th percentile. It is essential to consider that many teachers in Flagstaff benefit from shortage stipends for fields like special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which can significantly enhance their base pay. These incentives are part of the overall compensation package affecting the educational landscape in Flagstaff, signaling the need for qualified educators amidst demand.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,412 | $19.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,601 | $23.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,428 | $26.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,911 | $29.77 |
Median Salary Position
15.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,499 (2026 est.). At $54,428, the local median is 15.74% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be above the median
How Flagstaff Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $54,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $48,467 | +12.30% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -15.74% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $54,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.74% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 12.30% above the Arizona state average of $48,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 0.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 100.325 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,428 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,252 — a 0.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,810
2025 BLS Actual
$53,900
2026 Current Est.
$54,428
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 12.7% from $47,810 (2019) to $53,900 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,152 (14.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,412 – $49,601 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,601 – $54,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,428 – $60,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,780 – $61,911 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Flagstaff
Flagstaff hosts around 430 elementary school teachers, indicating a modest yet stable local job market. Given the cost of living index at 100.325, the purchasing power is somewhat constrained, suggesting that take-home pay may not go as far as it would in lower-cost areas. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer more competitive pay compared to charter and private institutions, which sometimes vary widely in their pay scales. The pay structure in Flagstaff typically adheres to a step-and-lane pay system, rewarding teachers for both their years of service and education level. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the availability of summer school contracts, after-school program stipends, and national board certification bonuses. For teachers in Flagstaff seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications, taking on additional roles such as tutoring or coaching, and targeting positions in high-demand subject areas can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $53,900 for elementary school teachersin the Flagstaff metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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