Teacher Salary

Charlotte vs High Point: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Charlotte, NC and High Point, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$59,255
$28.49/hr
High Point, NC
$59,386
$28.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCHigh Point, NC
Median Salary$59,255$59,386
Hourly Rate$28.49$28.55
Entry Level (P10)$47,743$44,757
25th Percentile$48,915$53,445
75th Percentile$61,729$76,015
Top Earner (P90)$76,250$92,049
Total Employed10,77023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($59,255) and High Point ($59,386) elementary school teacher salaries.CharlotteHigh PointMedian Salary$59,255$59,386Entry Level (P10)$47,743$44,757Top Earner (P90)$76,250$92,049US Median $64,597

Verdict

High Point, NC offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Charlotte.

The salary gap between Charlotte and High Point is $131 (0.22%). High Point's median is -8.07% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $28,507,High Point spans $47,292. High Point has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$47,743
P25$48,915
Median$59,255
P75$61,729
P90 (Top)$76,250
High Point
P10 (Entry)$44,757
P25$53,445
Median$59,386
P75$76,015
P90 (Top)$92,049

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, High Point ($63,447 effective) pays 4.23% more than Charlotte ($60,869 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $59,255
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $60,869
High Point
Nominal: $59,386
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $63,447

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Larger job market (10,770 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose High Point if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,386/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,049)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,447)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Charlotte grew 18.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.9% growth in High Point over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+18.7%

$49,440 (2019) → $58,680 (2025)

High Point, NC

+8.9%

$53,986 (2024) → $58,810 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Charlotte or High Point?

High Point has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $59,386/year, compared to Charlotte at $59,255/year — a difference of $131 (0.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and High Point?

Charlotte elementary school teachers earn $28.49/hr while High Point hygienists earn $28.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to High Point as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and High Point. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $60,869, High Point = $63,447), job availability (10,770 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Charlotte vs High Point?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $47,743 in Charlotte and $44,757 in High Point. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov