Teacher Salary

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

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

High Point, NC
$59,386
$28.55/hr
Raleigh, NC
$60,760
$29.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHigh Point, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$59,386$60,760
Hourly Rate$28.55$29.21
Entry Level (P10)$44,757$47,966
25th Percentile$53,445$50,540
75th Percentile$76,015$63,203
Top Earner (P90)$92,049$76,452
Total Employed235,830
Side-by-side bar chart comparing High Point ($59,386) and Raleigh ($60,760) elementary school teacher salaries.High PointRaleighMedian Salary$59,386$60,760Entry Level (P10)$44,757$47,966Top Earner (P90)$92,049$76,452US Median $64,597

Verdict

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

The salary gap between High Point and Raleigh is $1,374 (2.31%). Raleigh's median is -5.94% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in High Point spans $47,292,Raleigh spans $28,486. High Point has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

High Point
P10 (Entry)$44,757
P25$53,445
Median$59,386
P75$76,015
P90 (Top)$92,049
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$47,966
P25$50,540
Median$60,760
P75$63,203
P90 (Top)$76,452

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, High Point ($63,447 effective) pays 2.50% more than Raleigh ($61,901 effective).

High Point
Nominal: $59,386
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $63,447
Raleigh
Nominal: $60,760
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $61,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose High Point if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,049)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,447)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,760/year)
  • Larger job market (5,830 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in High Point grew 8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

High Point, NC

+8.9%

$53,986 (2024) → $58,810 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+20.4%

$49,960 (2019) → $60,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Raleigh has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $60,760/year, compared to High Point at $59,386/year — a difference of $1,374 (2.31%).

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

High Point elementary school teachers earn $28.55/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $29.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing High Point and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: High Point = $63,447, Raleigh = $61,901), job availability (23 vs 5,830 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $44,757 in High Point and $47,966 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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