Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $25.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $25.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,338 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,405 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offers an elementary school teacher hourly pay of $25.16, which is substantially lower than the national average of $31.06. This discrepancy may impact part-time educators who typically work three days a week, as they might only earn around $1,256 monthly before taxes. For those pursuing per diem opportunities in K-12 settings or special education, hourly rates range between $18.29 and $39.00, making this profession accessible yet variable based on experience and specialization. Teachers in this area can expect their earnings to significantly differ, with beginning educators earning closer to $18.29 per hour, while top earners can command rates approaching $39.00 in specialized roles such as STEM or special education.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.29 | $146.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.07 | $176.59 |
| Median (P50) | $25.16 | $201.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.85 | $254.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.00 | $311.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $25.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.16/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $52,342 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,197. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,006.57 | $4,362 | $52,342 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $603.94 | $2,617 | $31,405 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.63 | $1,745 | $20,937 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Chapel Hill) | $25.16 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $52,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.98% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.80% above the North Carolina state average of $51,923.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.16/hr = $31,405/year (purchasing power: $33,552).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,342/year (purchasing power: $55,920).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Chapel Hill grew 7.2% from $23.24/hr (2019) to $24.92/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Chapel Hill
The potential for part-time work as an elementary school teacher in Chapel Hill allows for individualized earning structures. A typical three-day-a-week teacher, working roughly 24 hours, could expect to take home around $31,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, those opting for per diem positions as substitute educators may receive between $100-$200 a day, depending on the district and duration of the assignment. Elementary school teachers also have opportunities through tutoring platforms, potentially earning between $30 and $80 per hour, which can supplement their income significantly. Additionally, the variation in hourly rates reflects differences across employer types, with charter schools, private institutions, and public districts offering distinct pay structures. Some teachers might choose lower hourly pay for comprehensive benefits like health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay without such perks. Negotiating hourly rates can be strategic, with educators in Chapel Hill encouraged to highlight their experience and advanced certifications when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Chapel Hill. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chapel Hill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
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