Elementary School Teacher Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $49,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Lee's Summit, MO earns a median $49,001/year (≈ $23.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Lee's Summit's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $54,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teaching positions in Lee's Summit, Missouri, is projected to reach $49,001, which is notably below the national median of $64,597. Salary ranges for educators in this district vary significantly, from $36,684 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $75,951 (P90). These figures are informed by local estimates derived from BLS state-level data along with regional price adjustments. Teachers with a master's degree or additional education, such as a master's+30, typically find placement in higher salary tiers on the district's step-and-lane scale, which is an important consideration for educators evaluating their potential earnings in Lee's Summit's competitive job market.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,684 | $17.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,912 | $21.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,001 | $23.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,721 | $30.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,951 | $36.51 |
Median Salary Position
24.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
In Lee's Summit, MO, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,267 (2026 est.). At $49,001, the local median is 24.14% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lee's Summit: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lee's Summit Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Lee's Summit median: $49,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lee's Summit Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $49,446 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -24.14% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $49,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.14% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $49,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lee's Summit has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lee's Summit, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $49,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,263
2025 BLS Actual
$48,525
2026 Current Est.
$49,001
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,263 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,227 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,795 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,305 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,481 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lee's Summit metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $45,263 (2019) to $48,525 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,481 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,218 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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) | $36,684 – $43,912 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,912 – $49,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,001 – $62,721 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,721 – $75,951 |
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 Lee's Summit
The job market for elementary school teachers in Lee's Summit is solid, with approximately 20 educators serving in the community. However, the cost-of-living index of 89.6 indicates that expenses in the region are generally lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries. K-12 public school districts, particularly Lee's Summit R-7 School District, typically offer some of the most competitive pay, although charter schools and private institutions may have variable compensation structures. Factors such as advanced degree attainment, National Board Certification, and participation in critical shortage areas like special education and STEM often influence the salary spread. To maximize earning potential, teachers should consider seeking additional qualifications and engaging in supplemental roles like summer school or after-school programs, all of which can significantly enhance overall compensation in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
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 $48,525 for elementary school teachersin the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit 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