Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bristol, CT: $79,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bristol, CT earns a median $79,959/year (≈ $38.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $74,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Bristol, CT, offers a competitive elementary school teacher salary of $79,959, surpassing the national median of $64,597 by an impressive margin of 23.78%. Local salaries range widely from $57,302 at the 10th percentile to $123,937 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying demands and specialization within the profession. The projected salary figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences. In Bristol, teachers who specialize in high-demand areas, such as special education, STEM, or bilingual education, may also earn stipends that uplift their base pay, enhancing overall compensation and attracting talent to meet local needs.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,302 | $27.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,349 | $35.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,959 | $38.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,347 | $49.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,937 | $59.59 |
Median Salary Position
23.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,635 (2026 est.). At $79,959, the local median is 23.78% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bristol median: $79,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $80,604 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +23.78% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Bristol, CT earn a median of $79,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.78% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $80,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,959 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,105 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,860
2025 BLS Actual
$79,183
2026 Current Est.
$79,959
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,432 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,361 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $73,860 (2019) to $79,183 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,883 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $57,302 – $74,349 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,349 – $79,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,959 – $102,347 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,347 – $123,937 |
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 Bristol
The job market for elementary school teachers in Bristol shows a notable presence, with 13 professionals currently employed in this sector. The local cost of living index stands at 107.9, indicating that living expenses are above the national average and may affect take-home purchasing power for educators. Within the region, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, though charter networks and private institutions may vary. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include the step-and-lane system for advancing salaries based on experience and education, as well as opportunities for additional stipends tied to specific roles like after-school tutoring or summer programs. Maximizing pay in Bristol could involve pursuing National Board Certification or seeking contracts in higher-paying districts, effectively leveraging credentials and specialized training to navigate the local educational landscape.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 $79,183 for elementary school teachersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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