Elementary School Teacher Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $49,147 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $49,147/year (≈ $23.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $55,841 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the projected median salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $49,147. This figure reflects a salary range from $40,634 at the 10th percentile to $59,770 at the 90th percentile, providing insights into the disparities based on experience and specialty. Teachers in critical shortage areas—such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education—often receive stipends that enhance their base pay, making the compensation landscape more favorable for those willing to teach in high-need subjects. These statistics, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, demonstrate how Rocky Mount's educational job market accommodates those with varying levels of experience and areas of expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,634 | $19.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,511 | $22.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,147 | $23.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,801 | $27.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,770 | $28.74 |
Median Salary Position
23.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,136 (2026 est.). At $49,147, the local median is 23.92% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rocky Mount Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $49,147/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,898 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -23.92% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $49,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.92% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.30% below the North Carolina state average of $51,898.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $49,147 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,841 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,640
2025 BLS Actual
$48,670
2026 Current Est.
$49,147
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,147 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,629 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 14.1% from $42,640 (2019) to $48,670 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,629 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,989 (16.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $40,634 – $46,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,511 – $49,147 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,147 – $56,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,801 – $59,770 |
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 Rocky Mount
With approximately 550 elementary school teachers currently employed in Rocky Mount, the city presents a practical job market for educators. The cost of living index here stands at 88.012, which is notably below the national average, allowing for a better net purchasing power relative to salary. Among the top-paying employers are local public school districts, which adhere to a step-and-lane salary structure reflecting years of service and educational attainment. However, variations in pay arise from several factors, including potential stipends for shortage areas, qualifications like National Board Certification, and additional opportunities for summer school and tutoring. For teachers aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced degrees—such as a master's or additional certifications—can play an influential role, especially in securing higher positions that often come with substantial pay differences. Understanding these dynamics can help educators better navigate their careers in Rocky Mount, NC.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 $48,670 for elementary school teachersin the Rocky Mount 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