Best cities for a 1st grade teacher
The best cities for 1st grade teachers are Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for 1st grade teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for 1st grade teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a 1st grade teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for 1st grade teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for 1st grade teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a 1st grade teacher. While the absolute best city for 1st grade teachers is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for 1st grade teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a 1st grade teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for 1st grade teachers in 2026
1. Detroit, MI
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $53,757 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $76,000 Location quotient: 5.40 2. Philadelphia, PA
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $55,526 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $81,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $53,979 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $78,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Toledo, OH
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $48,331 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Location quotient: 6.42 5. Newark, NJ
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $60,623 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 2.45 6. Hempstead, NY
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,981 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. New York, NY
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $64,931 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $94,000 Location quotient: 0.35 8. Boston, MA
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $63,356 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Islip, NY
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,916 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Oyster Bay, NY
Total 1st grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,812 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for 1st grade teachers
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Toledo, OH
- Newark, NJ
- Hempstead, NY
- New York, NY
- Boston, MA
- Islip, NY
- Oyster Bay, NY
- (4 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (0 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (0 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (1 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (1 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (0 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (4 1st grade teacher jobs)
- (0 1st grade teacher jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a 1st grade teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $53,757 | $37,000 | 672,795 | 4 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $55,526 | $37,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $53,979 | $37,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 4 | Toledo, OH | $48,331 | $33,000 | 278,508 | 1 |
| 5 | Newark, NJ | $60,623 | $41,000 | 281,764 | 1 |
| 6 | Hempstead, NY | $64,981 | $44,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 7 | New York, NY | $64,931 | $44,000 | 8,537,673 | 4 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $63,356 | $45,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 9 | Islip, NY | $64,916 | $44,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 10 | Oyster Bay, NY | $64,812 | $44,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 11 | Cleveland, OH | $49,028 | $34,000 | 385,809 | 1 |
| 12 | Brookhaven, NY | $64,765 | $44,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 13 | Jersey City, NJ | $60,653 | $41,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 14 | Cincinnati, OH | $45,229 | $31,000 | 298,800 | 5 |
| 15 | Buffalo, NY | $62,289 | $43,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 16 | San Francisco, CA | $62,800 | $41,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 17 | Oakland, CA | $62,574 | $40,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 18 | Columbus, OH | $47,560 | $33,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 19 | Fremont, CA | $62,200 | $40,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 20 | San Jose, CA | $61,998 | $40,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 21 | Sacramento, CA | $61,840 | $40,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 22 | Chicago, IL | $52,137 | $36,000 | 2,704,958 | 4 |
| 23 | Stockton, CA | $61,676 | $40,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 24 | Anchorage, AK | $54,307 | $46,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 25 | Omaha, NE | $48,799 | $34,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 26 | Lincoln, NE | $48,423 | $34,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 27 | El Paso, TX | $42,490 | $28,000 | 683,080 | 3 |
| 28 | San Antonio, TX | $40,758 | $27,000 | 1,492,510 | 11 |
| 29 | Long Beach, CA | $56,758 | $37,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 30 | Saint Paul, MN | $50,296 | $36,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 31 | Fresno, CA | $59,909 | $39,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 32 | Los Angeles, CA | $57,148 | $38,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 33 | Anaheim, CA | $56,618 | $37,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 34 | Minneapolis, MN | $50,269 | $36,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 35 | Baltimore, MD | $57,076 | $38,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 36 | Santa Ana, CA | $56,511 | $37,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 37 | Washington, DC | $61,127 | $41,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 38 | Bakersfield, CA | $58,584 | $38,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 39 | Irvine, CA | $56,390 | $37,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 40 | Austin, TX | $40,531 | $27,000 | 947,890 | 7 |
| 41 | Riverside, CA | $56,325 | $37,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 42 | Portland, OR | $50,630 | $35,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 43 | San Diego, CA | $55,504 | $37,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 44 | Chula Vista, CA | $55,400 | $37,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 45 | Lexington, KY | $43,009 | $30,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 46 | Indianapolis, IN | $39,151 | $27,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 47 | Albuquerque, NM | $45,574 | $31,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 48 | Louisville, KY | $42,773 | $30,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 49 | Reno, NV | $40,912 | $27,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 50 | Fort Wayne, IN | $40,994 | $28,000 | 264,488 | - |
Highest paying cities for 1st grade teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. 1st grade teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $64,931 |
| 2 | San Pablo, CA | $62,757 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $52,137 |
| 4 | Salem, OR | $51,181 |
| 5 | Prior Lake, MN | $50,275 |
| 6 | Springfield, OH | $47,060 |
| 7 | Nashua, NH | $45,898 |
| 8 | Santa Fe, NM | $45,329 |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | $42,490 |
| 10 | Provo, UT | $42,227 |
| 11 | East Chicago, IN | $40,486 |
| 12 | Denver, CO | $40,202 |
| 13 | Baton Rouge, LA | $39,957 |
| 14 | Sioux Falls, SD | $39,318 |
| 15 | Kingman, AZ | $39,207 |
| 16 | Las Vegas, NV | $38,151 |
| 17 | Yukon, OK | $32,031 |
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Updated January 8, 2025