verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Elementary School Teacher Salary in North Carolina

Median Annual in North Carolina
$54,930/yr
Median Hourly Wage
/hr
▼ 14% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in North Carolina

groups Employed in NC
42,410
public U.S. Median
$63,970
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$58,234 #45 of 51

Elementary School Teacher pay in North Carolina, explained

Elementary school teachers in North Carolina earn a median of $54,930 per year (— per hour), which is 14% below the national median of $63,970. Entry-level workers earn around $45,570, while the most experienced elementary school teachers reach about $62,590. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within North Carolina.

Is $54,930 good pay in North Carolina?

Adjusted for North Carolina's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $54,930 is worth about $58,234 in national buying power — ranking North Carolina #45 for real pay (vs #46 on the sticker number).

See the full Elementary School Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Elementary School Teacher pay by experience in North Carolina

Entry level (10th pct)
$45,570
$21.91/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$54,930
—/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$62,590
$30.09/hr

Elementary School Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs NC
North Carolina (here) $54,930 $58,234
Georgia $72,290 $75,073 −$17,360
Virginia $65,550 $64,834 −$10,620
South Carolina $60,820 $64,875 −$5,890
Tennessee $59,980 $65,288 −$5,050

Elementary School Teacher in North Carolina: FAQ

How much do elementary school teachers make in North Carolina?

Elementary school teachers in North Carolina earn a median of $54,930 per year (— per hour), compared with $63,970 nationally.

Does North Carolina pay elementary school teachers well?

At $54,930, North Carolina pays 14% below the national median for elementary school teachers. An estimated 42,410 work in the state.

Elementary School Teacher salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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