Elementary School Teacher Salary in Johnston, IA: $57,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Johnston, IA earns a median $57,679/year (≈ $27.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, the projected annual salary for elementary school teachers in Johnston, Iowa, is $57,679, a figure that reflects local adjustments based on state-level data. This median salary indicates a promising potential for educators, with a full salary range stretching from $47,444 at the 10th percentile to $89,402 at the 90th percentile. Teachers in Johnston seeking advancement through higher education can expect to be placed within a step-and-lane pay structure, where those with a master's degree or additional endorsements may receive competitive compensation. This salary context is significant when considering the broader educational job market, especially given that the national median for elementary school teachers is $64,597.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,444 | $22.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,272 | $26.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,679 | $27.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,811 | $35.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,402 | $42.98 |
Median Salary Position
10.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,958 (2026 est.). At $57,679, the local median is 10.71% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Johnston Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Johnston median: $57,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,154 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -10.71% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Johnston, IA earn a median of $57,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.71% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $62,154.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $57,679 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,804 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,280
2025 BLS Actual
$57,119
2026 Current Est.
$57,679
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,021 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $53,280 (2019) to $57,119 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,964 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $47,444 – $54,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,272 – $57,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,679 – $72,811 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,811 – $89,402 |
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 Johnston
Elementary school teacher pay in Johnston, IA, is influenced by several factors, starting with the local job market, which employs four elementary school teachers. The area has a cost-of-living index of 90.4, indicating that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the affordability of living is also relatively lower. Educators interested in maximizing their earnings should consider collaborating with K-12 public school districts, which often have structured salary scales based on years of experience and educational attainment. Johnston's teachers may also benefit from stipends for teaching in shortage areas, such as special education or bilingual education, as well as from opportunities in summer school or extended year contracts. To further enhance their compensation, pursuing National Board Certification or advanced degrees can unlock significant salary increases, thus improving the overall elementary school teacher salary in Johnston.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $57,119 for elementary school teachersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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