Elementary School Teacher Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $54,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $54,883/year (≈ $26.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $59,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the annual compensation for an elementary school teacher in Fayetteville, North Carolina is projected at $54,883, significantly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range for this profession locally extends from $45,391 at the 10th percentile to $59,518 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variance that reflects both the experience and educational qualifications of teachers within the district. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected forward, reflect the impact of a lower cost of living index in Fayetteville (91.978), making the effective compensation somewhat more appealing despite its overall lower average compared to national standards. As job opportunities in Fayetteville continue at a steady rate, understanding these salary dynamics is essential for prospective teachers navigating their career paths in this regional market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,391 | $21.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,481 | $22.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,883 | $26.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,508 | $28.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,518 | $28.62 |
Median Salary Position
15.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,127 (2026 est.). At $54,883, the local median is 15.04% below the national median of $64,597.
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At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be above the median
How Fayetteville Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $54,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,923 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -15.04% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $54,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.04% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.70% above the North Carolina state average of $51,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $54,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,670 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,400
2025 BLS Actual
$54,350
2026 Current Est.
$54,883
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 22.4% from $44,400 (2019) to $54,350 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,020 (24.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $45,391 – $47,481 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,481 – $54,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,883 – $58,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,508 – $59,518 |
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 Fayetteville
Fayetteville’s educational landscape employs approximately 1,490 elementary school teachers, presenting a stable job market for educators in the area. The cost of living, notably below the national average, affords teachers relatively greater purchasing power in daily life despite the lower salary figures. Institutions like K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive salaries on par with or slightly exceeding local averages, while charter schools such as KIPP may provide performance incentives and longer instructional hours, leading to potential higer pay for some. Specific salary discrepancies may also arise from district policies regarding step-and-lane pay scales, with advanced degrees and certifications yielding higher compensation through added stipends. Teachers aiming to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing certifications like National Board Certification and seek out roles in shortage areas, particularly in special education or STEM, where additional stipends are often available. Leveraging these factors is crucial for educators assessing how much do elementary school teachers make in Fayetteville and determining their career strategies.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $54,350 for elementary school teachersin the Fayetteville 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
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