Elementary School Teacher Salary in Pendleton, OR: $72,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Pendleton, OR earns a median $72,303/year (≈ $34.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Pendleton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $70,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pendleton, Oregon, the projected 2026 median annual salary for elementary school teachers is $72,303, which is notably higher than the national median of $64,597, marking an advantage of approximately 11.93% in local compensation. The salary range for educators in this area spans from $57,495 at the 10th percentile to $108,686 at the 90th percentile. This discrepancy reflects not only the varying levels of experience and education among teachers but also the demand for qualified professionals in specialized areas. Pendleton’s school districts often offer additional stipends for positions in critical shortage areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education, further enhancing base pay and making these roles particularly attractive to potential applicants.
About the Pendleton Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,495 | $27.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,651 | $32.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,303 | $34.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,918 | $43.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,686 | $52.26 |
Median Salary Position
11.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pendleton
In Pendleton, OR, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,191 (2026 est.). At $72,303, the local median is 11.93% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pendleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pendleton Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Pendleton median: $72,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pendleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $75,237 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | +11.93% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Pendleton, OR earn a median of $72,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $75,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pendleton has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pendleton, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,303 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,471 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,788
2025 BLS Actual
$71,601
2026 Current Est.
$72,303
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Pendleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,724 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,049 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,878 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pendleton metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $66,788 (2019) to $71,601 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,223 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pendleton 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) | $57,495 – $66,651 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,651 – $72,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,303 – $89,918 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,918 – $108,686 |
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 Pendleton
Despite having only five elementary school teachers currently employed in Pendleton, the local job market remains competitive, especially given the cost-of-living index of 102.6, which suggests higher living expenses than the national average. This impacts the actual purchasing power of salaries in the area. Public school districts generally adhere to a step-and-lane salary scale based on years of experience and educational attainment, while charter and private schools may offer different compensation structures, sometimes resulting in a pay premium for teaching roles. Educators can maximize their earnings by pursuing advanced degrees, National Board Certification, and taking on supplementary roles such as summer school teachers or after-school program coordinators. Furthermore, focusing on high-demand subjects can lead to increased pay through stipends specifically aimed at addressing shortages in various educational specialties.
More salary data for Pendleton, OR:
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 $71,601 for elementary school teachersin the Pendleton 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 Pendleton 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