Elementary School Teacher Salary in New Bedford, MA: $82,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in New Bedford, MA earns a median $82,764/year (≈ $39.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $76,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an elementary school teacher salary in New Bedford, MA, is projected to be $82,764, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, positioning the city as an attractive destination for educators. Salaries vary notably within the market, with the lower end of the range at $64,049 and the upper limit reaching $128,285. These figures take into account local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. This competitive compensation can be bolstered by stipends available for teachers in shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which add further appeal to teaching positions in the city.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,049 | $30.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,750 | $36.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,764 | $39.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,699 | $50.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,285 | $61.68 |
Median Salary Position
28.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,236 (2026 est.). At $82,764, the local median is 28.12% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $82,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $82,189 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +28.12% more |
Elementary School Teachers in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $82,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.12% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $82,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,764 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,280 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,130
2025 BLS Actual
$81,961
2026 Current Est.
$82,764
2019–2027 Growth
+5.6%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,192 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,575 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 3.6% from $79,130 (2019) to $81,961 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,575 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,445 (5.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $64,049 – $75,750 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,750 – $82,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,764 – $104,699 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,699 – $128,285 |
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 New Bedford
In terms of the local job market, New Bedford employs 24 elementary school teachers, reflecting a stable educational landscape. The cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, indicating that while salaries are above the national average, educators should consider how this affects their overall purchasing power. Within the area, public school districts generally provide structured pay scales based on experience and educational attainment, while charter schools may offer varying compensation in their pay models. Factors like step-and-lane salary progression, shortage stipends, extended year contracts, and additional stipend opportunities for coaching or tutoring create a wide disparity between entry-level positions and more experienced roles. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing a master's degree or National Board Certification can lead to higher salary brackets, especially in this high-cost area of MA—making education a strategic long-term investment.
More salary data for New Bedford, 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 $81,961 for elementary school teachersin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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