Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $29.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Greenville, SC runs $29.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,275 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,761 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Greenville, South Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $29.46. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.06, reflecting local economic conditions and the cost of living index in the area, which stands at 93.26—below the national average. For part-time teachers, who may work about three days a week, this hourly rate translates to varied earnings depending on their exact work hours. The hourly range for educators in Greenville spans from $23.69 at entry-level positions to $36.89 for those at the top of their field, illustrating the diverse opportunities available within K-12 classroom settings and specialized programs such as special education and after-school tutoring.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.69 | $189.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.31 | $194.45 |
| Median (P50) | $29.46 | $235.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.53 | $292.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.89 | $295.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $29.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.46/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $61,268 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,347. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,178.23 | $5,106 | $61,268 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.94 | $3,063 | $36,761 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.29 | $2,042 | $24,507 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Greenville) | $29.46 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $61,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.14% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $61,521.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.46/hr = $36,761/year (purchasing power: $39,418).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,268/year (purchasing power: $65,696).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Greenville grew 30.9% from $22.29/hr (2019) to $29.17/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.74/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Considering the financial impact of various employment arrangements, part-time instructional roles yield notable differences in earnings when juxtaposed with full-time positions. A three-day workweek for an elementary school teacher typically results in an annual income substantially less than someone working full-time. For those pursuing per diem opportunities, such as substitutes or tutors, daily rates can vary widely; substitute teachers commonly earn between $100 and $200 daily in public districts, while longer-term substitutes can command $140 to $250 per day. Additionally, private tutoring offers earnings anywhere from $30 to $80 per hour. Teachers in Greenville may find their hourly pay influenced by their employer type—public school, charter, and private institutions often have different pay scales, and some may prefer lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance. Practical negotiation can further enhance their compensation; understanding the local market and being ready to advocate for fair pay can be crucial in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
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 Greenville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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