Best cities for a first grade teacher
The best cities for first grade teachers are New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Hempstead, NY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for first grade teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for first grade teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a first grade teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for first grade teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for first grade teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a first grade teacher. While the absolute best city for first grade teachers is New York, NY, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for first grade teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a first grade teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for first grade teachers in 2025
1. New York, NY
Total first grade teacher jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $64,464 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 1.89 2. Philadelphia, PA
Total first grade teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $51,078 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 2.70 3. Hempstead, NY
Total first grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,499 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Brookhaven, NY
Total first grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $63,771 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Islip, NY
Total first grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,206 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $93,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Oyster Bay, NY
Total first grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,061 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. San Francisco, CA
Total first grade teacher jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $62,799 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 0.98 8. San Jose, CA
Total first grade teacher jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $62,653 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 0.92 9. Albuquerque, NM
Total first grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $52,846 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Jersey City, NJ
Total first grade teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $60,237 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $87,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for first grade teachers
- New York, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Hempstead, NY
- Brookhaven, NY
- Islip, NY
- Oyster Bay, NY
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Jersey City, NJ
- (19 first grade teacher jobs)
- (4 first grade teacher jobs)
- (0 first grade teacher jobs)
- (0 first grade teacher jobs)
- (0 first grade teacher jobs)
- (0 first grade teacher jobs)
- (3 first grade teacher jobs)
- (2 first grade teacher jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a first grade teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $64,464 | $44,000 | 8,537,673 | 19 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $51,078 | $35,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 3 | Hempstead, NY | $64,499 | $44,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 4 | Brookhaven, NY | $63,771 | $43,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 5 | Islip, NY | $64,206 | $44,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 6 | Oyster Bay, NY | $64,061 | $44,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $62,799 | $44,000 | 870,887 | 3 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $62,653 | $44,000 | 1,025,350 | 2 |
| 9 | Albuquerque, NM | $52,846 | $38,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 10 | Jersey City, NJ | $60,237 | $41,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 11 | Oakland, CA | $62,705 | $44,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 12 | Newark, NJ | $60,191 | $41,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 13 | Stockton, CA | $62,191 | $43,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 14 | Lincoln, NE | $50,238 | $37,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 15 | Fremont, CA | $62,645 | $44,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 16 | Sacramento, CA | $62,031 | $43,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 17 | Buffalo, NY | $60,238 | $42,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 18 | Omaha, NE | $50,026 | $37,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $46,299 | $33,000 | 672,795 | 5 |
| 20 | Fresno, CA | $61,795 | $43,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 21 | Anchorage, AK | $55,189 | $47,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 22 | Cleveland, OH | $47,006 | $33,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 23 | Bakersfield, CA | $61,179 | $43,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 24 | Seattle, WA | $56,170 | $41,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 25 | Orlando, FL | $51,565 | $37,000 | 277,173 | 1 |
| 26 | Pittsburgh, PA | $48,392 | $34,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 27 | Columbus, OH | $45,669 | $32,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 28 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,021 | $43,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 29 | Toledo, OH | $46,266 | $33,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 30 | Long Beach, CA | $59,794 | $43,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 31 | Miami, FL | $52,263 | $40,000 | 453,579 | - |
| 32 | Anaheim, CA | $59,728 | $43,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 33 | Hialeah, FL | $52,257 | $40,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 34 | El Paso, TX | $46,918 | $34,000 | 683,080 | 4 |
| 35 | Santa Ana, CA | $59,663 | $43,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 36 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $52,009 | $38,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 37 | Irvine, CA | $59,594 | $43,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 38 | Riverside, CA | $59,586 | $43,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 39 | Tampa, FL | $51,911 | $38,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 40 | San Diego, CA | $58,995 | $43,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 41 | Chula Vista, CA | $58,896 | $43,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 42 | Cincinnati, OH | $44,587 | $32,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 43 | Baltimore, MD | $57,786 | $40,000 | 614,664 | - |
| 44 | Austin, TX | $45,565 | $33,000 | 947,890 | 6 |
| 45 | Durham, NC | $44,177 | $31,000 | 263,016 | 2 |
| 46 | Dallas, TX | $44,916 | $32,000 | 1,317,929 | 7 |
| 47 | Lexington, KY | $44,766 | $32,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 48 | Louisville, KY | $44,665 | $32,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 49 | Jacksonville, FL | $50,484 | $36,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 50 | Winston-Salem, NC | $43,476 | $31,000 | 242,203 | 9 |
Highest paying cities for first grade teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. first grade teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $64,464 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $62,799 |
| 3 | Westfield, NJ | $60,343 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $57,786 |
| 5 | Federal Way, WA | $56,354 |
| 6 | Brookline, MA | $53,040 |
| 7 | Albuquerque, NM | $52,846 |
| 8 | Alexandria, VA | $51,835 |
| 9 | Apopka, FL | $51,446 |
| 10 | Aurora, IL | $49,456 |
| 11 | El Paso, TX | $46,918 |
| 12 | Detroit, MI | $46,299 |
| 13 | Provo, UT | $45,945 |
| 14 | Durham, NC | $44,177 |
| 15 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,270 |
| 16 | Las Vegas, NV | $43,091 |
| 17 | Lafayette, LA | $42,846 |
| 18 | Fountain, CO | $42,360 |
| 19 | Dalton, GA | $41,360 |
| 20 | Madison, WI | $40,172 |
First grade teacher best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025