Elementary School Teacher Salary in Houma, LA: $59,356 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Houma, LA earns a median $59,356/year (≈ $28.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $69,746 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Houma, Louisiana is projected to be $59,356, which reflects a lesser compensation compared to the national median of $64,597. The local salary range extends from $51,086 at the 10th percentile to $61,063 at the 90th percentile, indicating a modest variation in pay across different experience and qualification levels. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the impact of the area's cost of living index of 85.103, which is below the national average of 100. While Houma offers competitive salaries relative to the state average, the gap with the national benchmark may influence the retention and appeal of teaching positions, especially as the local job market comprises around 750 elementary school teachers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,086 | $24.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,397 | $27.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,356 | $28.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,063 | $29.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,063 | $29.35 |
Median Salary Position
8.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,977 (2026 est.). At $59,356, the local median is 8.11% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Houma Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Houma median: $59,356/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $55,681 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -8.11% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Houma, LA earn a median of $59,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.11% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.60% above the Louisiana state average of $55,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $59,356 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,746 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,829
2025 BLS Actual
$58,780
2026 Current Est.
$59,356
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,829 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,996 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,356 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,938 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $54,829 (2019) to $58,780 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,938 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,109 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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) | $51,086 – $57,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,397 – $59,356 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,356 – $61,063 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,063 – $61,063 |
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 Houma
The job market for elementary school teachers in Houma presents some unique challenges and opportunities given its employment environment and cost-of-living realities. The presence of 750 educators indicates a stable workforce, although the relatively low cost of living can enhance purchasing power, allowing for effective financial management despite the lower salary scales. Among the key employers are K-12 public school districts, which generally provide a structured step-and-lane pay scale rewarding years of service and educational advancement. While public schools offer competitive salaries for the area, charter networks like KIPP tend to pay higher rates. Factors contributing to salary variability include stipends for hard-to-fill positions in special education and STEM, as well as incentives for adding after-school programs or obtaining National Board Certification. For teachers aiming to maximize their pay in Houma, pursuing advanced degrees or specialized certifications and participating in additional contracts may prove effective strategies to increase their take-home earnings within this culinary market.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
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 $58,780 for elementary school teachersin the Houma 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, 5-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