Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Lakeland, FL
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $50,420 a year — 21% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,692 take-home, or $3,558 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,870
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,126
- Medicare (1.45%)$731
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,692
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,130 | $24.10 | $42,459 | $3,538 |
| 25th percentile | $50,150 | $24.11 | $42,476 | $3,540 |
| Median (50th) | $50,420 | $24.24 | $42,692 | $3,558 |
| 75th percentile | $57,500 | $27.64 | $48,381 | $4,032 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,500 | $27.64 | $48,381 | $4,032 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,420 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median elementary school teachers, except special education's $42,692 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,949 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lakeland, FL has 1.4× the national concentration of elementary school teachers, except special education jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for elementary school teachers, except special education, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #94 of 99 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $102,920 | $81,234 | $73,096 |
| 2 | Visalia, CA | $98,430 | $71,872 | $71,998 |
| 3 | Modesto, CA | $101,640 | $73,789 | $70,878 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $103,390 | $74,835 | $70,156 |
| 5 | Bridgeport, CT | $98,600 | $74,347 | $69,572 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $80,360 | $63,936 | $68,975 |
| 7 | Stockton, CA | $97,400 | $71,256 | $67,805 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $98,520 | $71,925 | $67,572 |
| 94 | Lakeland, FL | $50,420 | $42,692 | $43,949 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 99 metros →
About the job: elementary school teachers, except special education
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.4% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Jacksonville, FL — $61,080
- North Port, FL — $62,370
- Tampa, FL — $60,120
- Orlando, FL — $60,190
- Pensacola, FL — $50,360
- Miami, FL — $58,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a elementary school teachers, except special education make in Lakeland, FL?
The median elementary school teachers, except special education salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $50,420 a year, or about $24.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,150 and $57,500.
What is a elementary school teachers, except special education’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $50,420 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $42,692 a year ($3,558 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a elementary school teachers, except special education?
Pay here is 21% below the national median of $63,970. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,949 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #94 of 99 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median elementary school teachers, except special education’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.