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2026 Salary Data — Philadelphia, PA
Updated April 28, 2026

Teacher Salary in Philadelphia: $68K Median

Teachers in Philadelphia, PA earn between $51K and $106K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $65,140 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Teacher salary in Philadelphia, PA is $67,746 per year — +4% above the US national median of $65,140. Salaries range from $50,762 (entry, 25th percentile) to $106,309 (90th percentile). Teachers in Philadelphia earned approximately $16,937 in 2025, representing 300.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$67,746
+300.0% YoY · $5,646/mo
Entry
$46,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$88,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$106,309
Senior/lead
Teacher Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$68K
Las Vegas
$62K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$72K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$68K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Teachers in Philadelphia

Teachers educate students from kindergarten through grade 12 in subjects like mathematics, science, English, and social studies.

Core Responsibilities

  • Develop lesson plans aligned to standards
  • Deliver instruction
  • Assess student learning
  • Communicate with parents
  • Maintain classroom management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + teaching certification

In-demand certifications

State Teaching LicensePraxis examNational Board CertificationESL/Bilingual endorsement

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Teachers

Major employers active in Philadelphia or hiring remotely from this metro.

Public school districts (largest)
Charter schools
Private schools (NAIS)
Online K-12 (K12, Connections)

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Teacher listings.

Special educationESL/ELLEdTech toolsSTEM/STEAMTrauma-informed teaching

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

lesson planningclassroom managementdifferentiated instructionCommon CoreIEPstudent engagementcurriculum development
Career Outlook
+1% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Teacher demand stable nationally with severe shortages in special education, ESL, math, and science. Many districts offer signing bonuses up to $10K.

Teacher Salary Breakdown — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$50,762$67,746$106,309
Monthly$4,230$5,646$8,859
Weekly$976$1,303$2,044
Hourly$24$33$51

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($65,140) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Teacher Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$51,337.034
Per month$4,278
Biweekly paycheck$1,975
Effective tax rate24.2%

Tax Breakdown on $67,746

Gross salary$67,746
Federal income tax−$6,606.12
Pennsylvania state tax−$2,079.802
Philadelphia local tax−$2,540.475
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,182.569
Take-home (net)$51,337.034

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Teacher Salary by Experience — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Teachers in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$43,056
2–3 yr$46,800
4–6 yr$67,600
7–10 yr$88,400
11–15 yr$104,312
15+ yr$97,355

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+300.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,937
2026 median:$67,746
Change:+$50,809

Education sector growth driven by demand for Special education and ESL/ELL.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$62,152
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Teacher Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $64,520 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

Leverage Points

  • Step on the salary schedule: extra credentials, NBPTS certification, advanced degrees
  • High-need endorsements (special ed, ESL, math, science) often qualify for stipends
  • Years of credit transferred from another district or state
  • Title I / loan forgiveness eligibility and federal TEACH grant

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Signing bonus for shortage-area subjects ($2K-$10K)Tuition reimbursement and step credit for advanced degreesLoan forgiveness (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness)Pension eligibility and vesting timelineCoaching / department-chair / extracurricular stipends

What To Say

"With my [specialty] endorsement and master's, I should be placed at step X on the salary schedule. Can you also confirm the signing-bonus and loan-forgiveness eligibility in writing?"

Anchor on $88K–$106K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific Special education/ESL/ELL expertise.

Teacher Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Teacher salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Teacher salary in Philadelphia is $67,746 per year as of April 2026 — $5,646/month, $1,303/week, or about $33/hour. Salaries range from $50,762 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $106,309 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $67,746 a good Teacher salary in Philadelphia?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $67,746 a real purchasing power of approximately $62,152 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $67,746 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $67,746 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $67,746 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $67,746 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $67,746 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $67,746 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $67,746 each ($135,492 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $67,746 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $67,746 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Teacher in Philadelphia?
On a $67,746 Teacher salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $51,337.034 per year ($4,278/month, $1,975 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $6,606.12, state $2,079.802, local $2,540.475, FICA $5,182.569. Effective tax rate: 24.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Teachers in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Teachers in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($65,140 nationally vs $67,746 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $62,152 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Teacher earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Teachers in Philadelphia typically start at around $46,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Teachers earn $88,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $106,309+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Teacher salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Teacher salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 300.0% year-over-year, from $16,937 in 2025 to $67,746 in 2026 (+$50,809). This reflects the broader Education sector's compensation trend, driven by Special education and ESL/ELL demand.
What's the job outlook for Teachers in Philadelphia?
Teacher demand stable nationally with severe shortages in special education, ESL, math, and science. Many districts offer signing bonuses up to $10K. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Teachers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Teachers are: Special education, ESL/ELL, EdTech tools, STEM/STEAM, Trauma-informed teaching. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Teachers in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Teachers in or near Philadelphia include: Public school districts (largest), Charter schools, Private schools (NAIS), Online K-12 (K12, Connections). Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Teacher salary in Philadelphia?
With my [specialty] endorsement and master's, I should be placed at step X on the salary schedule. Can you also confirm the signing-bonus and loan-forgiveness eligibility in writing? Key leverage points for Education negotiations: Step on the salary schedule: extra credentials, NBPTS certification, advanced degrees; High-need endorsements (special ed, ESL, math, science) often qualify for stipends; Years of credit transferred from another district or state. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Signing bonus for shortage-area subjects ($2K-$10K), Tuition reimbursement and step credit for advanced degrees, Loan forgiveness (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness), Pension eligibility and vesting timeline.
How can I increase my Teacher salary in Philadelphia?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Special education, ESL/ELL, EdTech tools) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., State Teaching License or Praxis exam). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Teacher in Philadelphia?
Bachelor's degree + teaching certification is the typical path. However, Philadelphia's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Education roles.

Methodology & Sources

Teacher salary figures for Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($65,140) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (300.0%) reflects the Education sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Philadelphia

Teacher Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$68KHouston, TX$68KPhoenix, AZ$65KDallas, TX$68KFort Worth, TX$66KCharlotte, NC$66KNashville, TN$65KSacramento, CA$70K

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