Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Sumter, SC: $27.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Sumter, SC runs $27.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,215 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Sumter's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,934 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, elementary school teachers earn a median hourly rate of $27.99, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.06. This disparity means that teachers who work part-time—say, three days a week—might find their overall earnings limited compared to full-time positions. Common settings for these educators include K-12 classrooms, special education programs, summer school activities, and tutoring environments. The hourly pay range in Sumter varies, with entry-level positions starting at $22.06 and experienced educators potentially earning up to $35.36. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data and underscore the financial considerations educators face in this region.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.06 | $176.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.75 | $190.00 |
| Median (P50) | $27.99 | $223.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.44 | $243.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.36 | $282.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sumter
Based on $27.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.99/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sumter, SC can expect to earn approximately $58,223 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,590. With a cost-of-living index of 88.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sumter.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sumter
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,119.67 | $4,852 | $58,223 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $671.80 | $2,911 | $34,934 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.87 | $1,941 | $23,289 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Sumter) | $27.99 |
| 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 Sumter, SC earn a median of $58,215 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.88% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.40% below the South Carolina state average of $61,538.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.99/hr = $34,934/year (purchasing power: $39,688).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,223/year (purchasing power: $66,147).
CoL index: 88.02 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Sumter grew 10.8% from $25.03/hr (2019) to $27.72/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.27/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 Sumter 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 Sumter
Looking more closely at the earning potential, a part-time elementary school teacher working 24 hours per week would take home approximately $43,797 annually, which pales in comparison to the full-time counterpart making a typical salary. For those considering per diem work, substitute teachers can expect daily earnings between $100 and $250 based on the assignment length. Alternatively, specialized tutoring—whether through established platforms or private arrangements—can yield $30 to $80 hourly, providing a more flexible yet potentially lucrative income source. The hourly rate can also vary considerably depending on the type of institution, with public K-12 districts offering standardized pay scales in contrast to charter and private schools which may present varied compensation structures. As teachers in Sumter navigate these options, negotiating for higher pay while balancing benefits like health insurance can be essential for optimizing their financial health.
More salary data for Sumter, 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 Sumter. 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, 6-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