Elementary School Teacher Salary in Nogales, AZ: $45,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Nogales, AZ earns a median $45,640/year (≈ $21.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Nogales's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $46,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nogales, Arizona, the anticipated median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $45,640, significantly lower than the national median of $64,597. Local salaries span a range from $34,751 for the lowest earners to $68,441 for those at the upper end of the scale. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and reflect adjustments for regional price parity. Within the framework of the district's step-and-lane pay structure, teachers placing within the master's and master's+30 columns can expect increased compensation over their peers with only bachelor's degrees. Given this local context, the job market remains competitive, albeit constrained by the overall salary levels, which highlights the importance of regional economic factors influencing educator pay.
About the Nogales Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,751 | $16.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,776 | $21.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,688 | $26.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,441 | $32.91 |
Median Salary Position
29.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nogales
In Nogales, AZ, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,690 (2026 est.). At $45,640, the local median is 29.35% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nogales: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nogales Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Nogales median: $45,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nogales Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $48,450 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -29.35% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Nogales, AZ earn a median of $45,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.35% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.80% below the Arizona state average of $48,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nogales has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nogales, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $45,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,335 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,159
2025 BLS Actual
$45,197
2026 Current Est.
$45,640
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Nogales (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,056 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,381 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,992 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,816 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nogales metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $42,159 (2019) to $45,197 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,928 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nogales 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) | $34,751 – $43,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,776 – $45,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,640 – $55,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,688 – $68,441 |
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 Nogales
With only five elementary school teachers currently employed in the area, the job market for educators in Nogales remains relatively tight, adding a layer of competition for available positions. However, the cost of living is slightly below the national average with a cost index of 98.5, which means that while salaries may seem lower, they could potentially stretch further when it comes to purchasing power. Among local educators, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive salaries, but there can be lucrative opportunities within charter networks as well, especially for teachers in high-demand subjects like STEM and special education, who may receive stipends to incentivize their roles. To enhance earning potential in this market, educators may consider pursuing additional qualifications such as National Board Certification or participating in summer school contracts and after-school tutoring programs. Gathering experience over time and aligning with positions that offer salary incentives based on advanced degrees or specialization can ultimately lead to more substantial pay increases throughout a teaching career in Nogales, AZ.
More salary data for Nogales, 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 $45,197 for elementary school teachersin the Nogales 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
Salary data for Nogales 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