Elementary School Teacher Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $73,877 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $73,877/year (≈ $35.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $84,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For elementary school teachers in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $73,877, which is notably higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a strong local market. Pay ranges from $49,844 at the lower decile to $89,135 at the upper decile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. St. Cloud's educational sector also offers opportunities for additional compensation through shortage stipends in areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education, which can enhance base salary significantly. This creates an appealing context for educators considering their career path in the area, especially as potential candidates are drawn to these higher-paying positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,844 | $23.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,659 | $28.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,877 | $35.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,135 | $42.86 |
Median Salary Position
14.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,291 (2026 est.). At $73,877, the local median is 14.37% above the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be above the median
How St. Cloud Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $73,877/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,597 | +14.37% more |
Elementary School Teachers in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $73,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% higher than the national median of $64,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 87.632 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $73,877 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,304 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,400
2025 BLS Actual
$73,160
2026 Current Est.
$73,877
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,877 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 29.7% from $56,400 (2019) to $73,160 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,201 (32.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $49,844 – $58,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,659 – $73,877 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,877 – $81,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,410 – $89,135 |
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 St. Cloud
The local job market for elementary school teachers in St. Cloud is robust, with approximately 950 teachers employed in the area. Overall, the cost of living index stands at 87.632, suggesting a lower-than-average cost of living that can enhance take-home pay. This is important when evaluating how much do elementary school teachers make in St. Cloud, as it gives context to purchasing power. Among various employer types, K-12 public school districts tend to offer competitive salaries compared to charter schools and private institutions. Variability in pay often arises from the district’s step-and-lane pay structure that rewards experience and advanced degrees, and from additional stipends for those in shortage fields. Educators may maximize their salaries by pursuing these stipends, obtaining National Board Certification, and considering summer school or after-school tutoring opportunities. Understanding these aspects can help aspiring teachers strategically evaluate job offers as they enter the St. Cloud teaching market.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 $73,160 for elementary school teachersin the St. Cloud 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