Elementary School Teacher Salary in South Carolina: $61,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $61,379/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,081 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hilton Head Island ($64,990), Bluffton ($63,755), North Charleston ($62,321).
In South Carolina, the projected average median salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $61,379, which falls about 5.0% below the national median of $64,597. The highest-paying city, Hilton Head Island, offers a salary of $65,627, while the lowest, Clemson, provides $56,640. This salary disparity can be attributed to various factors, including local tax revenues, cost of living differences, and specific school district funding. Teachers in South Carolina are required to obtain state licensure, which involves completing an educator preparation program and passing required examinations. Demand for elementary teachers in the state is driven by a moderate annual growth rate of 0.98%, indicating stable job opportunities moving forward. Additionally, metro areas like Bluffton ($64,380), North Charleston ($62,932), Greer ($62,753), and Anderson ($62,688) demonstrate favorable salary prospects, reflecting regional economic conditions. As the education landscape continues to evolve, factors influencing teacher salaries include changes in state funding policies and population growth in certain areas. Overall, South Carolina's job market outlook for elementary teachers remains steady, with continued demand projected in various regions across the state.
South Carolina Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $44,042 (lowest entry-level) to $99,788 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina elementary school teachers earn 4.98% less than the national median ($-3,218/year difference).
South Carolina Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in South Carolina range from $49,090 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,941 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,379. The South Carolina median is $3,218 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $29.51/hr. Approximately 17,446 elementary school teachers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,370
2025 BLS Actual
$60,783
2026 Current Est.
$61,379
2019–2027 Growth
+18.4%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,256 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,065 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,783 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,981 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 16.1% from $52,370 (2019) to $60,783 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,981 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,611 (18.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $61,507 | 86.774 | $70,882 |
| Bluffton | $64,380 | 91.5 | $70,361 |
| North Charleston | $62,932 | 91.5 | $68,778 |
| Greer | $62,753 | 91.5 | $68,583 |
| Anderson | $62,688 | 91.5 | $68,511 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,090 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,379 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,941 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Island | $65,627 |
| 2 | Bluffton | $64,380 |
| 3 | North Charleston | $62,932 |
| 4 | Greer | $62,753 |
| 5 | Anderson | $62,688 |
| 6 | Mount Pleasant | $62,410 |
| 7 | Charleston | $61,618 |
| 8 | Spartanburg | $61,588 |
| 9 | Florence | $61,507 |
| 10 | Greenville | $61,275 |
| 11 | Rock Hill | $61,260 |
| 12 | Aiken | $60,991 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $60,905 |
| 14 | Columbia | $60,638 |
| 15 | Mauldin | $60,547 |
| 16 | Myrtle Beach | $60,504 |
| 17 | Summerville | $60,222 |
| 18 | Simpsonville | $59,230 |
| 19 | Fort Mill | $59,202 |
| 20 | Goose Creek | $59,063 |
| 21 | Sumter | $58,215 |
| 22 | Lexington | $58,097 |
| 23 | Easley | $57,060 |
| 24 | Conway | $56,751 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $56,746 |
| 26 | Clemson | $56,640 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new elementary school teachers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does South Carolina elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
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How many elementary school teachers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
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
Statewide 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. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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