Teacher Salary

Cornelius vs Greensboro: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

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

Cornelius, NC
$51,219
$24.63/hr
Greensboro, NC
$60,315
$29.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCornelius, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$51,219$60,315
Hourly Rate$24.63$29.00
Entry Level (P10)$41,599$47,097
25th Percentile$48,171$49,935
75th Percentile$63,282$62,628
Top Earner (P90)$79,116$63,870
Total Employed72,590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cornelius ($51,219) and Greensboro ($60,315) elementary school teacher salaries.CorneliusGreensboroMedian Salary$51,219$60,315Entry Level (P10)$41,599$47,097Top Earner (P90)$79,116$63,870US Median $64,597

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cornelius.

The salary gap between Cornelius and Greensboro is $9,096 (17.76%). Greensboro's median is -6.63% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cornelius spans $37,517,Greensboro spans $16,773. Cornelius has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cornelius
P10 (Entry)$41,599
P25$48,171
Median$51,219
P75$63,282
P90 (Top)$79,116
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$47,097
P25$49,935
Median$60,315
P75$62,628
P90 (Top)$63,870

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($64,949 effective) pays 18.69% more than Cornelius ($54,721 effective).

Cornelius
Nominal: $51,219
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $54,721
Greensboro
Nominal: $60,315
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $64,949

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cornelius if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($79,116)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,315/year)
  • Larger job market (2,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,949)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Cornelius grew -5.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.2% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Cornelius, NC

+-5.3%

$53,571 (2024) → $50,722 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+21.2%

$49,280 (2019) → $59,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Cornelius or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,315/year, compared to Cornelius at $51,219/year — a difference of $9,096 (17.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cornelius and Greensboro?

Cornelius elementary school teachers earn $24.63/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $29.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cornelius to Greensboro as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cornelius and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cornelius = $54,721, Greensboro = $64,949), job availability (7 vs 2,590 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Cornelius vs Greensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $41,599 in Cornelius and $47,097 in Greensboro. The Greensboro 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