Elementary School Teacher Salary in Medford, MA: $81,178 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Medford, MA earns a median $81,178/year (≈ $39.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,818 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Elementary school teacher salaries in Medford, Massachusetts reflect the competitive nature of the region's education job market. With a median annual salary projected at $81,178 for 2026, educators can expect their earnings to range from $64,077 at the lower end to $125,826 for those at the top of their field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, place Medford teachers significantly above the national average for the same year, which stands at $64,597. For teachers with a master's degree or advanced credentials, Medford's structured step-and-lane pay scale ensures competitiveness while accommodating experience and educational level, suggesting a strong compensation framework for attracting talent amid rising living costs in the area.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,077 | $30.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,178 | $39.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,805 | $48.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,826 | $60.50 |
Median Salary Position
25.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,749 (2026 est.). At $81,178, the local median is 25.67% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Medford median: $81,178/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $82,164 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +25.67% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Medford, MA earn a median of $81,178 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.67% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $82,164.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,178 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,818 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,986
2025 BLS Actual
$80,390
2026 Current Est.
$81,178
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,986 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,582 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,178 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,973 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $74,986 (2019) to $80,390 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,973 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,987 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $64,077 – $75,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,100 – $81,178 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,178 – $101,805 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,805 – $125,826 |
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 Medford
The local job market hosts only 11 elementary school teachers, indicating a potentially tight-knit community but also a relatively limited pool of professionals. Medford's cost-of-living index of 108.5 suggests that while salaries are robust, the purchasing power is moderated by higher living expenses. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most substantial pay, although charter networks may offer alternative opportunities with varying pay structures. Factors contributing to the salary range include compensation tied to experience, additional certifications like National Board Certification, and stipends for hard-to-fill positions in special education or STEM. To maximize earnings in Medford, educators should consider additional qualifications such as pursuing master’s degrees or taking on extra roles in summer school or after-school programs, which can enhance their overall compensation in this high-cost district.
More salary data for Medford, MA:
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 $80,390 for elementary school teachersin the Medford 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 Medford 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