Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
In Pennsylvania, elementary school teachers, except special educations earn $77,060 at the median. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $81,141 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 26.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Pennsylvania?
About elementary school teachers, except special educations
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sits well above the national pay line for elementary school teachers, except special education, local pay runs about 20% higher than the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,351/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level elementary school teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in Pennsylvania
16 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | $80K | +4% | 1,780 |
| York-Hanover | $80K | +3% | 2,260 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $79K | +3% | 4,260 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $79K | +2% | 23,380 |
| Lancaster | $78K | +2% | 2,350 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $77K | +0% | 2,990 |
| State College | $77K | -0% | 540 |
| Chambersburg | $77K | -0% | 500 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $77K | -1% | 1,780 |
| Pittsburgh | $77K | -1% | 7,640 |
| Lebanon | $76K | -1% | 480 |
| Gettysburg | $75K | -2% | 380 |
| Williamsport | $75K | -3% | 420 |
| Johnstown | $71K | -7% | 600 |
| Erie | $70K | -9% | 960 |
| Altoona | $62K | -20% | 360 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 metros
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Track elementary school teachers, except special education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 26.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for elementary school teachers, except special educations in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new elementary school teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,119/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is elementary school teachers, except special education a high-paying job in Pennsylvania?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $77K here vs. $64K nationally.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for elementary school teachers, except special educations?
Pennsylvania pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s +20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do elementary school teachers, except special educations make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $77,060 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,990, and experienced elementary school teachers, except special educations can clear $99,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,019/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 26.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a elementary school teachers, except special education salary go in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary is worth about $81,141 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do elementary school teachers, except special educations get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.