Elementary School Teacher Salary in Wilmington, NC: $48,713 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Wilmington, NC earns a median $48,713/year (≈ $23.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $50,521 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, NC, the projected median annual salary for an elementary school teacher in 2026 stands at $48,713, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $64,597. The salary range for this position varies significantly, from $40,372 at the 10th percentile to $61,366 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse landscape of compensation based on factors such as experience and educational qualifications. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, providing a foundational understanding of the local market. Given Wilmington's step-and-lane pay structure, those with master's degrees or additional qualifications typically secure higher positions within the scale. This framework is critical for prospective educators to consider, particularly when evaluating career potential in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,372 | $19.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,642 | $22.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,713 | $23.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,649 | $29.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,366 | $29.51 |
Median Salary Position
24.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,994 (2026 est.). At $48,713, the local median is 24.59% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $48,713/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,877 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -24.59% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $48,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.59% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.10% below the North Carolina state average of $51,877.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $48,713 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,521 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,900
2025 BLS Actual
$48,240
2026 Current Est.
$48,713
2019–2027 Growth
+4.9%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,713 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,190 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 2.9% from $46,900 (2019) to $48,240 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,190 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,290 (4.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $40,372 – $47,642 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,642 – $48,713 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,713 – $60,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,649 – $61,366 |
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 Wilmington
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With approximately 1,920 elementary school teachers employed in the Wilmington area, the local job market remains stable, though salaries are influenced by a cost-of-living index of 96.422, which is below the national average. This lower index suggests that while teachers may earn less than their counterparts in larger, high-cost cities, the overall purchasing power remains reasonable. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive pay, while charter networks like KIPP can provide higher wages due to increased expectations. Factors driving salary disparities include the district’s step-and-lane pay scale, performance stipends for teachers in shortage areas, and additional incentives for advanced degrees. To maximize salary potential, educators should aim for advanced certifications, pursue extra responsibilities such as after-school tutoring or summer programs, and position themselves strategically within the job market, focusing on the demand for specialized skills in subjects like special education or STEM.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $48,240 for elementary school teachersin the Wilmington 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