Elementary School Teacher Salary in Onalaska, WI: $62,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Onalaska, WI earns a median $62,106/year (≈ $29.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, the elementary school teacher salary in Onalaska, WI is set at $62,106 annually, slightly below the national average of $64,597, which reflects a difference of 3.86%. The pay scale ranges from $48,279 at the 10th percentile to $92,508 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of compensation depending on experience and specialization. Various shortage stipends, particularly in areas like special education, STEM, and bilingual education, can enhance base salaries, making positions in these fields particularly attractive. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, and highlight how specific skills may command higher compensation within Onalaska's job market.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,279 | $23.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,034 | $28.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,106 | $29.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,254 | $36.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,508 | $44.47 |
Median Salary Position
3.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,229 (2026 est.). At $62,106, the local median is 3.86% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $62,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,188 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -3.86% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $62,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.86% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $62,106 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,495 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,369
2025 BLS Actual
$61,503
2026 Current Est.
$62,106
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,369 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,032 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,224 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,503 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,714 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $57,369 (2019) to $61,503 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,714 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,345 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $48,279 – $59,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,034 – $62,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,106 – $75,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,254 – $92,508 |
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 Onalaska
In Onalaska, the local job market for elementary school teachers is competitive, with only four teachers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, suggesting that housing and daily expenses are lower than the national average, thereby influencing take-home pay and purchasing power positively. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts often provide the most stable compensation, typically adhering to the step-and-lane pay structure that rewards teachers for years of experience and educational advancement. Additional pay may be available through summer school contracts, after-school tutoring, or coaching stipends. The variation in salaries can be attributed to different factors, including district-specific pay scales, shortage area stipends, and advanced qualifications like National Board Certification. For teachers seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting shortage areas and pursuing additional credentials may be effective strategies to enhance their overall salary in the Onalaska market.
More salary data for Onalaska, WI:
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 $61,503 for elementary school teachersin the Onalaska 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 Onalaska 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