Elementary School Teacher Salary in Fuquay-Varina, NC: $51,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Fuquay-Varina, NC earns a median $51,013/year (≈ $24.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Fuquay-Varina's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $54,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, is projected to offer an annual median salary of $51,013 for elementary school teachers, quite a bit lower than the national median of $64,597. The salary range is diverse, with the lower end at $38,631 (P10) and reaching up to $78,394 (P90), highlighting the variability in teacher compensation across the area. Additionally, teachers in specialized fields such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education may receive shortage stipends that enhance their base pay significantly. These stipends can help offset the lower salary levels compared to national norms, a consideration that weighs heavily as the local market offers only about five elementary school teaching positions, reflecting the overall demand for educators in Fuquay-Varina.
About the Fuquay-Varina Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,631 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,724 | $22.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,013 | $24.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,782 | $30.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,394 | $37.69 |
Median Salary Position
21.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fuquay-Varina
In Fuquay-Varina, NC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,763 (2026 est.). At $51,013, the local median is 21.03% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fuquay-Varina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fuquay-Varina Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Fuquay-Varina median: $51,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fuquay-Varina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,895 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -21.03% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Fuquay-Varina, NC earn a median of $51,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.03% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $51,895.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fuquay-Varina 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.
Fuquay-Varina, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $51,013 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,501 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,122
2025 BLS Actual
$50,518
2026 Current Est.
$51,013
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fuquay-Varina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,122 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,125 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,717 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,289 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,357 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,518 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,513 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fuquay-Varina metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $47,122 (2019) to $50,518 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,513 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,391 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fuquay-Varina 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) | $38,631 – $47,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,724 – $51,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,013 – $62,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,782 – $78,394 |
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 Fuquay-Varina
Examining the job market in Fuquay-Varina reveals a cost-of-living index of 93.6, indicating that while teacher salaries appear lower than national averages, the practical take-home purchasing power may be more favorable. Local public school districts typically follow a step-and-lane pay scale, which incorporates years of service and education level into compensation. Districts may attract educators with additional stipends for taking on roles in high-need areas and offering summer contracts. Among various educational institutions in the area, public K-12 schools generally provide the most competitive salaries, while charter schools and private institutions can vary widely in their pay scales. For teachers aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, such as the National Board Certification, and seeking positions in high-need subjects can be effective strategies in the Fuquay-Varina market.
More salary data for Fuquay-Varina, 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 $50,518 for elementary school teachersin the Fuquay-Varina 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 Fuquay-Varina 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