Elementary School Teacher Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $57,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $57,819/year (≈ $27.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,959 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for an elementary school teacher in Ottumwa, Iowa, is $57,819. This figure reflects the local market dynamics, taking into account a cost of living index of 90.4, which is below the national average. The salary range for this role is broad, with the 10th percentile earning $47,797 and the 90th percentile making $88,993, illustrating the variance in compensation based on experience and specialization within the profession. Although this pay scale may fall about 10.49% below the national median of $64,597, it remains essential to highlight how such compensation aligns with the local economic landscape and the specific challenges and needs of the Ottumwa school district.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,797 | $22.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,576 | $26.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,819 | $27.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,836 | $34.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,993 | $42.79 |
Median Salary Position
10.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,196 (2026 est.). At $57,819, the local median is 10.49% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ottumwa Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $57,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $62,171 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -10.49% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $57,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $62,171.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $57,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,959 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$53,409
2025 BLS Actual
$57,258
2026 Current Est.
$57,819
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Ottumwa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,409 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,546 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,958 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,217 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,258 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $53,409 (2019) to $57,258 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,977 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $47,797 – $54,576 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,576 – $57,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,819 – $71,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,836 – $88,993 |
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 Ottumwa
With only five elementary school teachers currently employed in Ottumwa, the local job market for educators is relatively limited. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries may appear lower than national benchmarks, teachers in Ottumwa can still achieve reasonable purchasing power. School districts and charter networks tend to follow a step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education level, with additional opportunities for higher pay through stipends for those specializing in shortage areas like special education or STEM. Employers like the Ottumwa Community School District typically provide competitive salaries within the existing public education framework. To maximize earning potential, educators might consider pursuing advanced degrees or National Board Certification, which can lead to significant salary increases. Engaging in summer school programs or after-school tutoring can also supplement income while enhancing their teaching credentials in this market.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Ottumwa, IA in 2026?
Is Ottumwa, IA a good place to work as a elementary school teacher?
Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Ottumwa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted elementary school teacher salary in Ottumwa?
How much does a elementary school teacher make per hour in Ottumwa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $57,258 for elementary school teachersin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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