Elementary School Teacher Salary in Reston, VA: $60,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Reston, VA earns a median $60,436/year (≈ $29.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Reston's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $58,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Reston, Virginia, reaches $60,436. This figure is lower than the national average of $64,597, marking a difference of approximately 6.44%. The salary range for educators within this district spans from $46,768 at the 10th percentile to $93,675 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse spectrum of pay based on experience and educational attainment. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS projections provides this salary insight, paired with regional cost adjustments that reflect Reston’s higher-than-average cost of living index of 103.2. Such economic factors influence local job market dynamics, especially given the district's structured step-and-lane pay scale, where salary increments are often tied to years of service and educational qualifications, particularly for those with advanced degrees like a master's or master's plus 30 credits.
About the Reston Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,768 | $22.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,162 | $26.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,436 | $29.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,358 | $37.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,675 | $45.04 |
Median Salary Position
6.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reston
In Reston, VA, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,907 (2026 est.). At $60,436, the local median is 6.44% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reston Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Reston median: $60,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $61,795 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.44% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Reston, VA earn a median of $60,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.44% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $61,795.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reston has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reston, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,436 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,562 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,826
2025 BLS Actual
$59,849
2026 Current Est.
$60,436
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Reston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,826 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,014 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,445 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,716 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,578 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reston metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $55,826 (2019) to $59,849 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,202 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reston 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) | $46,768 – $55,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,162 – $60,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,436 – $77,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,358 – $93,675 |
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 Reston
Despite having only 16 elementary school teachers employed in the area, Reston’s job market shows positive growth potential, with a projected annual growth rate of 0.98%. The cost of living index suggests that salaries may feel tighter in terms of purchasing power, as local compensation tends to lag behind national averages in comparable high-cost districts. Employers such as K-12 public school districts dominate the landscape, but charter school networks and private institutions also vary in their pay scales. In Reston, teachers can maximize their pay through advanced qualifications and taking advantage of potential shortage area stipends in special education or STEM roles. Participation in summer school or extended year contracts may also provide opportunities for higher earnings. Overall, educators considering Reston as a career destination should familiarize themselves with the nuances of the local pay structure and seek opportunities for professional development to elevate their earning potential.
More salary data for Reston, VA:
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 $59,849 for elementary school teachersin the Reston 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 Reston 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