SOC 25-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — Joplin
Joplin, MO-KS · 7 metro areas compared
In Joplin, MO the median wage is $48,770.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Joplin, MO the median wage is $48,770. That is 23.8% lower than the national median of $63,970. Pay ranges from under $40,050 at the tenth percentile to more than $68,690 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,300 to $59,370.
The area has 1,100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.41 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Kansas City records the highest median at $61,060. Of the 283 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 142nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,050 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $46,300 | −27.6% |
| Median (50th) | $48,770 | −23.8% |
| 75th | $59,370 | −7.2% |
| 90th | $68,690 | +7.4% |
| Mean | $53,120 | −17.0% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $61,060 | 11,500 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $60,650 | 13,440 | |
| 3 | Springfield | $49,380 | 2,400 | |
| 4 | St. Joseph | $49,140 | 770 | |
| 5 | Jefferson City | $47,960 | 600 | |
| 6 | Columbia | $47,920 | 840 | |
| 7 | Cape Girardeau | $47,100 | 1,030 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Joplin run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $48,770 goes as far as $53,711 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,711US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,770 a year, 23.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,050 to $68,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kansas City, at $61,060.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Joplin, MO?
The median annual wage is $48,770, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,970, so pay in Joplin, MO is 23.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Joplin, MO earns more than $68,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,050 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Kansas City, at $61,060 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,100 jobs in this occupation in Joplin, MO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data