EducationUpdated Q1 2026

K-12 Teacher Salary
in Lakewood, CO

Educate students in elementary through high school across core academic subjects. Median salary in Lakewood: $71K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$71K
per year
Take-home: $47K

Salary range in Lakewood

Entry level (25th)$52,000
Median (50th)$71,000
Senior (75th)$94,000
Top earner (90th)$121,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Lakewood, Colorado. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Lakewood

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

15% premium vs national median

K-12 Teachers in Lakewood earn approximately 15% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $9,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Lakewood's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Rent eats 44% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Lakewood ($1,700/mo) consumes approximately 44% of an after-tax median K-12 Teacher salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($94K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 5% of K-12 Teacher positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Lakewood salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Lakewood

Median salary
$71K
annual
Take-home pay
$47K
after fed/state tax
COL index
115
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.55%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,700
per month
YoY growth
+1.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Lakewood 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 $75K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Lakewood

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

HistoricalProjected
K-12 Teacher salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$59K$63K$68K$72K$76K201920212023202520272029
2026
$72K
projected
2027
$73K
projected
2028
$74K
projected
2029
$75K
projected
2030
$76K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$72,000+$1,000
2028 projected$73,000+$2,000
2029 projected$74,000+$3,000
2030 projected$75,000+$4,000

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 Lakewood, Colorado: Complete Guide (2026)

The median K-12 Teacher salary in Lakewood, CO is $71,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Lakewood–CO 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 Lakewood

Entry-level K-12 Teachers in Lakewood with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $52,000 and $71,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $71,000 to $94,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $94,000 to $121,000 or more.

Cost of living in Lakewood for K-12 Teachers

Lakewood has a cost of living index of 115 compared to the US national average of 100. Lakewood's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Colorado has a 4.55% 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
Lakewood (current)$71K115
Denver$65K118
Colorado Springs$59K102
Aurora$62K112
Fort Collins$69K112
Thornton$67K108