Elementary Education Degree in St. Petersburg, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for St. Petersburg, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$53K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in St. Petersburg
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in St. Petersburg, FL Overview
St. Petersburg is one of Florida's top college towns, with 22 institutions and a student population of 17,306. Public tuition averages $10,405/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Although national enrollment in Elementary Education has been declining, graduates with skills in Lesson Planning and Classroom Management remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in St. Petersburg is approximately $48,500.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
22
Public Tuition
$10,405/yr
Private Tuition
$48,010/yr
Room & Board
$9,763/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,802/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
48%
Elementary Education Salary in St. Petersburg (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for St. Petersburg's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.St. Petersburg adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for St. Petersburg
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education degree using local St. Petersburg tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,405 | Private avg: $48,010
St. Petersburg avg aid: $8,802/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,550
vs HS diploma in St. Petersburg
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in St. Petersburg
$190,928
Lifetime earnings premium ($271,600) minus total education cost ($80,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in St. Petersburg
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in St. Petersburg for Elementary Education
Eckerd College
private
$48,010/yr
$192,040 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
St. Petersburg College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Elementary Education in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key St. Petersburg Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Elementary Education in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Education Majors in St. Petersburg
Instructional Design & Technology
$49K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$49K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$49K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$49K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education Degree in St. Petersburg — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Elementary Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in St. Petersburg.