Elementary School Teacher Salary in Helena, MT: $58,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Helena, MT earns a median $58,548/year (≈ $28.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $61,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Helena, Montana, stands at $58,548, which is nearly 9.36% lower than the national median of $64,597. Teachers in the area can expect a salary range from $40,473 at the lower end (P10) to $78,421 on the higher end (P90). This salary data is derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, and financial incentives, such as shortage stipends for special education, STEM, or bilingual educators, can significantly augment base pay. While Helena offers competitive salaries for the region, the job market presents challenges when compared to the broader national context.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,473 | $19.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,097 | $23.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,548 | $28.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,119 | $36.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,421 | $37.71 |
Median Salary Position
9.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,948 (2026 est.). At $58,548, the local median is 9.36% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Helena median: $58,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $58,783 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -9.36% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Helena, MT earn a median of $58,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.36% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.40% below the Montana state average of $58,783.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $58,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,083
2025 BLS Actual
$57,980
2026 Current Est.
$58,548
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,083 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,234 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,651 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,913 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $54,083 (2019) to $57,980 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,039 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $40,473 – $48,097 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,097 – $58,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,548 – $76,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,119 – $78,421 |
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 Helena
Helena employs around 350 elementary school teachers, which indicates a stable local job market for educators. With a cost-of-living index of 95.675, the purchasing power of salaries here is enhanced slightly, compared to national averages. District step-and-lane pay structures largely determine compensation, but salaries can vary depending on the school type. Public school districts generally follow a consistent pay scale, while charter schools may offer premiums or fall below that scale. Factors contributing to salary differences include experience, additional degrees, and specific shortage area stipends. Those looking to maximize their elementary school teacher pay in Helena, MT, should consider obtaining advanced degrees, pursuing National Board Certification, or seeking positions in schools with higher pay scales, thereby improving their overall earning potential in the area.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
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 $57,980 for elementary school teachersin the Helena 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, 2-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