Elementary School Teacher Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $65,627 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $65,627/year (≈ $31.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.0), that paycheck buys what $66,955 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the compensation for elementary school teachers reflects a competitive landscape within the broader context of the state and national averages. Projected for 2026, salaries in this region show a median annual pay of $65,627, which is slightly above the national median of $64,597, highlighting local districts' efforts to attract quality educators. The salary range for teachers varies significantly, with starting salaries at approximately $50,258 and experienced educators potentially making up to $83,521. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals not only the commitment to competitive pay but also hints at the local educational priorities and the desire to retain skilled teaching professionals in Hilton Head Island's schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,258 | $24.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,065 | $25.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,627 | $31.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,521 | $40.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,521 | $40.15 |
Median Salary Position
1.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,263 (2026 est.). At $65,627, the local median is 1.59% above the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilton Head Island Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $65,627/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,506 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | +1.59% more |
Elementary School Teachers in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $65,627 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.59% higher than the national median of $64,597 and 6.70% above the South Carolina state average of $61,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island has a cost of living 1.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 98.017 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $65,627 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,955 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,960
2025 BLS Actual
$64,990
2026 Current Est.
$65,627
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,627 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew -2.9% from $66,960 (2019) to $64,990 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $-690 (-1.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $50,258 – $53,065 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,065 – $65,627 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,627 – $83,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,521 – $83,521 |
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 Hilton Head Island
The local job market in Hilton Head Island is robust, with around 870 elementary school teachers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, set at 98.017, is below the national average, suggesting that educators enjoy a relatively comfortable standard of living compared to other regions. Among various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most stable pay, while charter networks like KIPP may provide higher earnings but often come with longer hours. Several factors contribute to the disparity in pay among teachers, including the step-and-lane salary scale, which considers years of experience and advanced degrees, as well as additional stipends for special education, STEM, and extended contract offerings. To maximize earnings in this particular market, teachers should actively pursue advanced certifications, take on leadership roles, and consider working during the summer or in after-school modules, especially given the ongoing need for specialized educators.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
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 $64,990 for elementary school teachersin the Hilton Head Island 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