Elementary School Teacher Salary in Dubuque, IA: $58,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Dubuque, IA earns a median $58,407/year (≈ $28.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $66,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, Iowa, the 2026 projected salary for elementary school teachers stands at $58,407, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,597. The overall salary range for this profession in the area varies from $44,663 at the 10th percentile to $78,603 at the 90th percentile, positioning local salaries about 9.58% below the national average. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, establishing a clear view of the market for educators. To enhance their compensation, teachers in Dubuque can take advantage of various stipends particularly in shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which provide significant additions to base pay and reflect the demand for qualified professionals in these fields.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,663 | $21.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,662 | $23.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,407 | $28.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,890 | $31.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,603 | $37.79 |
Median Salary Position
9.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,940 (2026 est.). At $58,407, the local median is 9.58% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dubuque Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $58,407/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,135 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -9.58% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $58,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.58% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.00% below the Iowa state average of $62,135.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $58,407 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,882 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,140
2025 BLS Actual
$57,840
2026 Current Est.
$58,407
2019–2027 Growth
+5.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,979 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 3.0% from $56,140 (2019) to $57,840 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,979 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,839 (5.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $44,663 – $48,662 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,662 – $58,407 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,407 – $64,890 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,890 – $78,603 |
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 Dubuque
Looking deeper into the elementary school teacher pay in Dubuque, IA, it is notable that there are approximately 560 teachers employed in this sector, contributing to a competitive job market. The cost of living index for Dubuque sits at 87.328, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local educators despite relatively lower wages. Public K-12 school districts often offer the most stable positions, with salaries generally adhering to the step-and-lane pay structure based on years of service and educational attainment. Components like shortage area stipends and additional compensation for after-school tutoring or coaching can push earnings higher. For teachers seeking to maximize their pay, pursuing National Board Certification or advanced degrees can be beneficial strategies, helping them secure top-tier positions and additional benefits within the local educational framework.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
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 $57,840 for elementary school teachersin the Dubuque 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