Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bloomington, IL: $66,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bloomington, IL earns a median $66,233/year (≈ $31.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $70,809 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $66,233, which surpasses the national median of $64,597 by 2.53%. Within this city, compensation ranges significantly, with entry-level positions starting as low as $47,824, while the most experienced educators can earn up to $107,624 annually. This data stems from detailed surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflects the various educational pathways available to teachers in the district. Teachers with a master's degree or additional certifications often find their placements optimized along the step-and-lane pay scale, directly influencing their earnings. Given the competitive salary structure in Bloomington, educators with advanced degrees or specialized qualifications may find favorable compensation opportunities as they navigate a robust job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,233 | $31.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,624 | $51.74 |
Median Salary Position
2.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,800 (2026 est.). At $66,233, the local median is 2.53% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $66,233/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $61,612 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +2.53% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $66,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.53% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 7.50% above the Illinois state average of $61,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $66,233 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,809 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,670
2025 BLS Actual
$65,590
2026 Current Est.
$66,233
2019–2027 Growth
+8.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,882 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 6.4% from $61,670 (2019) to $65,590 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,882 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,212 (8.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $47,824 – $51,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,570 – $66,233 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,233 – $84,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,530 – $107,624 |
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 Bloomington
Bloomington's educational landscape employs around 670 elementary school teachers, contributing to a steady professional environment despite the slightly lower cost of living index of 93.537. This cost index allows educators to enjoy a slightly better purchasing power compared to their counterparts in areas with higher living costs. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, followed closely by specialty schools that might provide additional incentives for hard-to-fill positions such as special education or STEM. Factors like experience, advanced degrees, and participation in summer programs or after-school tutoring can also impact salaries, creating a disparity in pay. For teachers looking to maximize their earnings in the Bloomington area, pursuing National Board Certification, engaging in continuing education, and taking on additional roles such as coaching or tutoring can significantly enhance their overall compensation packages. This focused approach is key to understanding how much do elementary school teachers make in Bloomington while navigating the city's evolving educational compensation trends.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
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 $65,590 for elementary school teachersin the Bloomington 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