Elementary School Teacher Salary in Tampa, FL: $60,709 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Tampa, FL earns a median $60,709/year (≈ $29.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $60,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the projected 2026 median annual salary for elementary school teachers stands at $60,709, which is slightly lower than the national median of $64,597. The salary range spans from $50,399 at the 10th percentile to $75,048 at the 90th percentile. Additionally, specialized areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education often offer shortage stipends that can significantly enhance base pay. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys illustrates that despite being a high-cost area, the salary for elementary school teacher pay in Tampa FL presents a competitive option for educators in the state, yet also suggests the necessity for effective budgeting and supplemental income opportunities to make the most of this career path.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,399 | $24.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,409 | $24.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,709 | $29.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,738 | $31.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,048 | $36.08 |
Median Salary Position
6.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,649 (2026 est.). At $60,709, the local median is 6.02% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tampa Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Tampa median: $60,709/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $59,056 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.02% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Tampa, FL earn a median of $60,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.80% above the Florida state average of $59,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,709 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,173 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,250
2025 BLS Actual
$60,120
2026 Current Est.
$60,709
2019–2027 Growth
+-7.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,709 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,304 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew -9.3% from $66,250 (2019) to $60,120 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,304 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,946 (-7.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $50,399 – $51,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,409 – $60,709 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,709 – $64,738 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,738 – $75,048 |
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 Tampa
Analysing the local job market reveals that Tampa employs approximately 11,000 elementary school teachers, reflecting robust demand for educators in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89, households must navigate a slightly above-average expense structure, impacting overall take-home income. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts typically provide competitive compensation, while charter networks and private schools can vary widely in pay scales. Factors influencing salary disparities include experience, advanced degrees, and stipends for teaching in high-need subjects. To maximize earnings, educators may consider pursuing National Board Certification and engaging in summer school or after-school programs, which can further augment their reported salaries and professional development in Tampa.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
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 $60,120 for elementary school teachersin the Tampa 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