EducationUpdated Q1 2026

K-12 Teacher Salary
in Elizabeth, NJ

Educate students in elementary through high school across core academic subjects. Median salary in Elizabeth: $90K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$90K
per year
Take-home: $54K

Salary range in Elizabeth

Entry level (25th)$65,000
Median (50th)$90,000
Senior (75th)$119,000
Top earner (90th)$152,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Elizabeth

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

45% premium vs national median

K-12 Teachers in Elizabeth earn approximately 45% higher than the US national median for this role — a $28,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Elizabeth's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

10.75% state tax = $9,675/yr

New Jersey's 10.75% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $9,675 per year at the median salary. A K-12 Teacher relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Rent eats 45% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Elizabeth ($2,000/mo) consumes approximately 45% of an after-tax median K-12 Teacher salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($119K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Elizabeth

Median salary
$90K
annual
Take-home pay
$54K
after fed/state tax
COL index
145
100 = US avg
State income tax
10.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,000
per month
YoY growth
+1.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Elizabeth K-12 Teacher to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $96K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Elizabeth

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
K-12 Teacher salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$75K$81K$86K$92K$97K201920212023202520272029
2026
$91K
projected
2027
$93K
projected
2028
$94K
projected
2029
$96K
projected
2030
$97K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$91,000+$1,000
2028 projected$93,000+$3,000
2029 projected$94,000+$4,000
2030 projected$96,000+$6,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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K-12 Teacher Salary in Elizabeth, New Jersey: Complete Guide (2026)

The median K-12 Teacher salary in Elizabeth, NJ is $90,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Elizabeth–NJ metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for K-12 Teacher in Elizabeth

Entry-level K-12 Teachers in Elizabeth with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $65,000 and $90,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $90,000 to $119,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $119,000 to $152,000 or more.

Cost of living in Elizabeth for K-12 Teachers

Elizabeth has a cost of living index of 145 compared to the US national average of 100. Elizabeth's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. New Jersey has a 10.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for K-12 Teacher

Bachelor's in Education; state teaching certification. 5% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

K-12 Teacher salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Elizabeth (current)$90K145
Newark$71K155
Jersey City$73K162
Paterson$87K140
Edison$86K138