Creative & Education Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Teacher (K-12) Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median teacher (k-12) salary in Cleveland, OH is $53,053 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$53,053
vs State Avg
$-2,468
vs National
$-8,637
Cost of Living
86%

Teacher (K-12) Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median teacher (k-12) salary of $53,053, which is $2,468 below the Ohio state average of $55,521. Compared to the national median of $61,690, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $53,053 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,690 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for teacher (k-12)s seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for teacher (k-12)s in Cleveland spans from $35,604 at the 10th percentile to $86,860 at the 90th percentile — a $51,256 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $36,120, while senior teacher (k-12)s with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $79,120. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Teacher (K-12) Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level teacher (k-12) earns around $36,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $79,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$36,120
$-5,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$79,120
$-12,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $35,604
25th Percentile $41,968
Median (50th) $53,053
75th Percentile $68,112
90th Percentile $86,860

Teacher (K-12) Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$58,606
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$55,521
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$51,820
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$50,586
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Teacher (K-12) in Cleveland

Education

Most teacher (k-12) positions require a bachelor's degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lesson PlanningClassroom ManagementAssessmentDifferentiated InstructionCommunicationEducational Technology

Job Outlook

Nationally, teacher (k-12) employment is projected to grow 1% over the next decade (slower than average). Demand in Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Teacher (K-12) Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open teacher (k-12) positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Teacher (K-12) Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Teacher (K-12) make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median teacher (k-12) salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $53,053 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $61,690. Salaries range from $35,604 (10th percentile) to $86,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a Teacher (K-12) make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $53,053, a teacher (k-12) in Cleveland earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for teacher (k-12) pay? ▼
Cleveland's median teacher (k-12) salary of $53,053 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $55,521. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a teacher (k-12) salary of $53,053 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a teacher (k-12) in Cleveland? ▼
Most teacher (k-12) positions in Cleveland require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lesson Planning, Classroom Management, Assessment, Differentiated Instruction. The job market is projected to grow 1% nationally over the next decade.