Elementary School Teacher Salary in North Carolina: $56,466 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $56,466/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,327 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($60,170), Cary ($59,884), Greensboro ($59,730).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in North Carolina is projected to be $56,466, which is approximately 12.6% lower than the national median of $64,597. This salary discrepancy highlights the varying economic factors specific to the state. The highest paying city for this profession is Raleigh, with a projected salary of $60,760, while Leland is expected to see the lowest at $48,198. The difference of $12,562 between these cities can be attributed to cost of living variations, local funding for education, and demand for teachers in urban versus rural areas. Licensing requirements in North Carolina generally include earning a bachelor's degree in education, completing an approved teacher preparation program, and passing relevant examinations. Additionally, there is a steady demand for educators, which is expected to result in an annual growth rate of 0.98%. Factors driving this demand include population growth and a focus on early childhood education initiatives in the state. Overall, the job market outlook for elementary school teachers in North Carolina remains stable, with a total of 34,744 teachers employed across 45 metro areas.
North Carolina Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $37,055 (lowest entry-level) to $93,730 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina elementary school teachers earn 12.59% less than the national median ($-8,131/year difference).
North Carolina Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in North Carolina range from $46,275 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $68,868 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,466. The North Carolina median is $8,131 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $27.15/hr. Approximately 34,744 elementary school teachers are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,529
2025 BLS Actual
$55,918
2026 Current Est.
$56,466
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,529 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,772 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,105 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,468 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,918 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,466 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 15.2% from $48,529 (2019) to $55,918 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,490 (17.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $48,198 |
| Wilmington | $48,713 |
| Jacksonville | $48,844 |
| Carrboro | $48,920 |
| Indian Trail | $49,112 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | $60,315 | 92.865 | $64,949 |
| Cary | $60,471 | 93.6 | $64,606 |
| Concord | $60,224 | 93.6 | $64,342 |
| High Point | $59,386 | 93.6 | $63,447 |
| Greenville | $56,034 | 88.402 | $63,385 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,275 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,466 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $68,868 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $60,760 |
| 2 | Cary | $60,471 |
| 3 | Greensboro | $60,315 |
| 4 | Concord | $60,224 |
| 5 | High Point | $59,386 |
| 6 | Charlotte | $59,255 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $57,992 |
| 8 | Burlington | $57,296 |
| 9 | Winston | $57,064 |
| 10 | Greenville | $56,034 |
| 11 | Fayetteville | $54,883 |
| 12 | Winston-Salem | $53,792 |
| 13 | Huntersville | $52,460 |
| 14 | Kannapolis | $52,377 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill | $52,338 |
| 16 | Apex | $52,254 |
| 17 | Durham | $51,904 |
| 18 | Statesville | $51,473 |
| 19 | Kernersville | $51,428 |
| 20 | Matthews | $51,307 |
| 21 | Cornelius | $51,219 |
| 22 | Sanford | $51,175 |
| 23 | Wake Forest | $51,173 |
| 24 | Morrisville | $51,150 |
| 25 | Pinehurst | $51,035 |
| 26 | Fuquay-Varina | $51,013 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $51,005 |
| 28 | Thomasville | $50,920 |
| 29 | New Bern | $50,900 |
| 30 | Mint Hill | $50,888 |
| 31 | Asheville | $50,571 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $50,083 |
| 33 | Hickory | $50,025 |
| 34 | Mooresville | $49,926 |
| 35 | Monroe | $49,905 |
| 36 | Garner | $49,793 |
| 37 | Wilson | $49,757 |
| 38 | Goldsboro | $49,723 |
| 39 | Boone | $49,541 |
| 40 | Rocky Mount | $49,147 |
| 41 | Indian Trail | $49,112 |
| 42 | Carrboro | $48,920 |
| 43 | Jacksonville | $48,844 |
| 44 | Wilmington | $48,713 |
| 45 | Leland | $48,198 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for elementary school teachers in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level elementary school teacher salary in North Carolina?
How many elementary school teachers are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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