Elementary School Teacher Salary in New Jersey: $79,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $79,228/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,774 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($98,563), Newark ($97,043), Atlantic City ($80,480).
In New Jersey, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is projected to be $79,228, which is significantly higher than the national median of $64,597, reflecting a 22.6% difference. This emphasizes the state's investment in education compared to national averages. Salary variation within the state is notable, with Jersey City leading at $99,529 and Summit at the lower end with $69,349, showcasing a gap of $30,180. This difference is often influenced by local cost of living, district budgets, and demand for teachers in various communities. New Jersey has specific licensing requirements for teachers that ensure a qualified workforce, including the need for a bachelor’s degree and passing various assessments. The job market for elementary school teachers in New Jersey shows a growth rate of 0.98% annually, based on the 2025 BLS data, indicating stable demand driven by consistent population growth and educational reforms. Key metropolitan areas for employment include Newark with a projected salary of $97,994 and Atlantic City at $81,269, among others. These figures suggest that while there are strong earning potentials, regional disparities reflect broader economic conditions and educational priorities in New Jersey's diverse communities.
New Jersey Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $52,565 (lowest entry-level) to $154,270 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey elementary school teachers earn 22.65% more than the national median (+$14,631/year difference).
New Jersey Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in New Jersey range from $61,115 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,294 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,228. The New Jersey median is $14,631 above the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $38.09/hr. Approximately 5,013 elementary school teachers are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,123
2025 BLS Actual
$78,459
2026 Current Est.
$79,228
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,251 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,807 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,037 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 11.9% from $70,123 (2019) to $78,459 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,882 (14.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Summit | $69,349 |
| Rahway | $70,395 |
| Evesham | $70,707 |
| Egg Harbor | $70,811 |
| Mount Laurel | $70,985 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | $99,529 | 115.2 | $86,397 |
| Newark | $97,994 | 115.2 | $85,064 |
| Vineland | $79,027 | 95.968 | $82,347 |
| Atlantic City | $81,269 | 98.857 | $82,209 |
| Trenton | $78,613 | 103.18 | $76,190 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $61,115 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,228 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,294 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in New Jersey cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new elementary school teachers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
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
Statewide 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. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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