Elementary School Teacher Salary in Bangor, ME: $60,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Bangor, ME earns a median $60,669/year (≈ $29.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Bangor's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $62,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bangor, ME, the median annual salary for an elementary school teacher is projected to be $60,669 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $64,597 for the same year. The salary range for teachers in this district spans from $46,835 at the 10th percentile to $84,308 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations based on experience and education levels. This compensation data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the challenges of the local job market for educators navigating the step-and-lane scale that often influences pay across public schools. For those pursuing advanced degrees, such as a master’s or master’s +30, placement on the salary schedule is essential; however, the overall average in Bangor indicates a gap that impacts teacher recruitment and retention.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,835 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,945 | $23.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,669 | $29.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,492 | $37.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,308 | $40.53 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bangor
In Bangor, ME, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,473 (2026 est.). At $60,669, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bangor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bangor Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Bangor median: $60,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bangor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $64,336 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.08% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Bangor, ME earn a median of $60,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.70% below the Maine state average of $64,336.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bangor has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bangor, ME has a cost-of-living index of 96.508 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,669 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,864 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,710
2025 BLS Actual
$60,080
2026 Current Est.
$60,669
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Bangor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bangor metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 20.9% from $49,710 (2019) to $60,080 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,553 (23.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bangor 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) | $46,835 – $47,945 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,945 – $60,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,669 – $77,492 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,492 – $84,308 |
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 Bangor
Currently, Bangor employs approximately 940 elementary school teachers, offering insights into the local job market's stability. The cost of living index in Bangor stands at 96.508, suggesting a slightly more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which influences the take-home purchasing power for educators. Among the employers, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most competitive pay structures, with potential for added compensation through stipends for specialized positions in high-demand areas like special education and STEM. Variations in salaries can often be attributed to district-specific factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale, which aligns compensation with years of service and educational qualifications. For teachers seeking to maximize their earnings in Bangor, pursuing advanced certifications, taking on summer school contracts, or participating in after-school programs can provide valuable financial boosts.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
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 $60,080 for elementary school teachersin the Bangor 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