Elementary School Teacher Salary in Apex, NC: $52,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Apex, NC earns a median $52,254/year (≈ $25.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $55,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Elementary school teachers in Apex, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $52,254 in 2026, reflecting a notable difference when compared to the national median of $64,597. Salaries within this role vary significantly, with the lowest ten percent earning around $38,691 and the highest ten percent reaching up to $80,994. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, consider regional price adjustments and local economic conditions. Moreover, the step-and-lane pay scale that underlies educational compensation in Apex means that salaries are directly tied to teachers’ years of experience and educational attainment, such as holding a master's degree or a master’s degree plus 30 credit hours. Such structured pay enhances the incentive for continued education among teachers, creating a more professional workforce in the community.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,691 | $18.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,377 | $23.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,254 | $25.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,527 | $31.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,994 | $38.94 |
Median Salary Position
19.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,303 (2026 est.). At $52,254, the local median is 19.11% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Apex median: $52,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,891 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -19.11% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Apex, NC earn a median of $52,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.11% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $51,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $52,254 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,269
2025 BLS Actual
$51,747
2026 Current Est.
$52,254
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,512 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,654 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,747 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $48,269 (2019) to $51,747 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,497 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $38,691 – $48,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,377 – $52,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,254 – $65,527 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,527 – $80,994 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Apex
The job market for elementary school teachers in Apex is relatively stable, with 16 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living in Apex, indexed at 93.6, is below the national average, which plays a significant role in shaping the purchasing power of teachers' salaries here. Among local employers, public school districts often offer the most competitive pay, particularly for teachers with specialized skills in areas such as special education or STEM. These specialty roles frequently come with additional stipends, ranging from 5-15%, responding to local demand for expertise. To maximize pay, educators in Apex might consider pursuing National Board Certification, additional relevant degrees, or seeking positions that offer summer school contracts or after-school tutoring opportunities. By strategically navigating their careers within the existing pay structure and available stipends, teachers can enhance their financial compensation and professional satisfaction in Apex.
More salary data for Apex, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,747 for elementary school teachersin the Apex metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apex 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