Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Rock Hill, SC: $29.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Rock Hill, SC runs $29.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,260 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Rock Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,761 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Rock Hill, South Carolina, the estimated median hourly pay for elementary school teachers is $29.46, which falls slightly below the national median hourly rate of $31.06. For part-time educators working three days per week, this salary means they can expect to earn around $22,400 a year, based on a typical part-time schedule. Hourly rates for teachers can vary widely; entry-level positions may start at about $21.18, while experienced teachers can earn up to $45.65 per hour, depending on their qualifications and the specific school setting. This includes a variety of work environments such as K-12 classrooms, special education programs, and supplemental roles like summer school or after-school tutoring, where educators can benefit from flexible schedules and potential supplemental earnings while helping students outside traditional classroom hours.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South 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) | $21.18 | $169.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.88 | $215.05 |
| Median (P50) | $29.46 | $235.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.70 | $301.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.65 | $365.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rock Hill
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 Rock Hill, 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 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rock Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rock Hill
| 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 (Rock Hill) | $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 Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $61,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.17% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $61,506.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.46/hr = $36,761/year (purchasing power: $40,176).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,268/year (purchasing power: $66,960).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.41/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 Rock Hill grew 7.2% from $27.21/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 Rock 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 Rock Hill
When considering the financial prospects of teaching in Rock Hill, it's vital to explore the nuances of part-time and per-diem positions. A teacher working three days a week would generally earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but opportunities for per diem classroom substitution can be lucrative. For instance, substitute teachers in Rock Hill typically earn between $100 to $200 per day, and long-term substitutes may see daily rates increase to $140-$250. Additionally, educators looking to supplement their income might turn to tutoring platforms that pay between $30 to $80 an hour. However, for many, the choice between higher hourly pay without benefits or a stable job with health insurance presents an initial dilemma. Understanding the varying pay structures across public schools, charter schools, and private institutions can give teachers in Rock Hill valuable insights when negotiating their hourly rate. For those aspiring to maximize their pay, emphasizing qualifications like National Board Certification or specialized training in high-demand areas such as STEM may provide additional leverage during discussions.
More salary data for Rock Hill, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Rock Hill in 2026?
How much do part-time elementary school teachers make in Rock Hill?
Are elementary school teachers in Rock Hill paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time elementary school teacher make per year in Rock Hill?
Do elementary school teachers earn more per hour working part-time in Rock Hill?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Rock 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 Rock 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