Elementary School Teacher Salary in St. Paul, MN: $79,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in St. Paul, MN earns a median $79,704/year (≈ $38.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $80,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Paul, Minnesota, the path to an attractive elementary school teacher salary in St. Paul becomes particularly relevant amidst the ongoing demand for educators in specialized fields. The projected median annual salary for teachers in 2026 is $79,704, significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a robust local market. Salaries range from $58,694 at the 10th percentile to as high as $123,541 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for cost-of-living considerations, underline the competitive nature of teacher compensation in the area. Moreover, incentive stipends for special education, STEM, and bilingual educators can enhance base pay, making the position even more appealing for qualified professionals entering the field.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,694 | $28.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,198 | $34.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,704 | $38.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,563 | $48.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,541 | $59.40 |
Median Salary Position
23.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,847 (2026 est.). At $79,704, the local median is 23.39% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $79,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $73,868 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +23.39% more |
Elementary School Teachers in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $79,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.39% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 7.90% above the Minnesota state average of $73,868.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $79,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,918 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,624
2025 BLS Actual
$78,930
2026 Current Est.
$79,704
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,191 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,759 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,572 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $73,624 (2019) to $78,930 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,861 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $58,694 – $71,198 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,198 – $79,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,704 – $101,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,563 – $123,541 |
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. Paul
Looking at the local job market, St. Paul currently employs around 80 elementary school teachers, highlighting a modest but steady demand for educators in the city. The cost-of-living index sits at 98.5, which suggests that salaries stretch relatively well against local expenses. Among various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically dominate the higher pay ranges due to established salary scales, but charter schools and private institutions can create variability in compensation. Factors such as experience and education level significantly contribute to earning potential, with a step-and-lane pay structure being standard in public districts. To maximize pay, teachers should consider pursuing additional qualifications like National Board Certification, seeking opportunities to teach in shortage areas, and taking on additional responsibilities through summer contracts or tutoring. Understanding these dynamics is key for any educator looking to enhance their earning potential in St. Paul, MN.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $78,930 for elementary school teachersin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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