SOC 25-2021 · Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Lakeland, FL

The average salary for elementary school teachers (except special education) in Lakeland, Florida is $53,660 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $50,420: half of the 3,280 people in this job in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 26% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$53,660average per year

Median $50,420Take-home ≈ $45,296

  • $50K10th
  • $50K25th
  • $50KMedian
  • $58K75th
  • $58K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

3,280people in this job
-26%vs U.S. average
#18 of 20Florida metros
97cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Lakeland

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,130 a year or less, while the top 10% make $57,500 or more. The middle half of elementary school teachers (except special education) in Lakeland earn between $50,150 and $57,500.

  • $50K10th
  • $50K25th
  • $50KMedian
  • $58K75th
  • $58K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$53,660$4,472—
Median$50,420$4,202—
Entry level (25th percentile)$50,150$4,179—
Experienced (75th percentile)$57,500$4,792—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Lakeland vs. Florida and the U.S.

Elementary school teachers (except special education) in Lakeland earn 10% less than the Florida average ($59,530) and 26% less than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is -21% against the U.S. median of $63,970.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Lakeland$53,660$50,420$50,130$57,5003,280
Florida$59,530$58,930$48,680$75,78079,090
United States$72,650$63,970$47,960$104,3401,388,390

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Lakeland

On the average salary of $53,660, a single filer in Lakeland takes home about $45,296 a year, or $3,775 a month and $1,742 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.

Florida paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Lakeland a good place for elementary school teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Lakeland area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.1), so the average $53,660 buys what about $55,239 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Lakeland ($46,140). A typical home costs $298,816, or 5.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $53,660 is worth in another city

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other Florida cities

Lakeland ranks 18th of 20 Florida metro areas for this job; Jacksonville pays the most ($66,850).

All Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in Florida

Highest-paying cities for elementary school teachers (except special education)

Mount Vernon, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($106,760).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Lakeland: questions

What is the entry-level elementary school teachers (except special education) salary in Lakeland?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,130 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,150, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the elementary school teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Lakeland?

About $45,296 a year ($3,775 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,660. Florida has no state income tax.

Do elementary school teachers (except special education) earn more in Lakeland than elsewhere?

The average here is 26% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2021; area Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL (29460). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.2%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.38, this job is 1.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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