Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Chicago

$78,390

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Middle half of wages roughly $60,630 to $102,430.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median
+22.5%
US median
$63,970
Metro RPP
103.6
Middle half
$60,630 to $102,430
OEWS employment
45,840
SOC
25-2021

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Chicago pay a median $78,390 (May 2025), 22.5% above the US median of $63,970. At local prices (RPP 103.6), that median buys about what $75,666 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$78,390 in Chicago buys about what $75,666 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 103.6, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 112 vs all-items 103.6 (US = 100, 2024).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in nearby metros

Metro Median Middle half RPP
Chicago $78,390 $60,630 to $102,430 103.6
Phoenix $59,180 $48,840 to $67,170 103.3
San Francisco $101,860 $78,460 to $122,120 115.6
Tulsa $48,220 $46,890 to $59,060 89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Chicago?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $78,390.
How does Chicago pay compare to the US median for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Local median pay is 22.5% above the national OEWS median of $63,970.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
BEA RPP for Chicago is 103.6 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $78,390 has about the same purchasing power as $75,666 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.