Elementary School Teacher Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $61,588 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Spartanburg, SC earns a median $61,588/year (≈ $29.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Spartanburg's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $67,641 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spartanburg, SC, the projected median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $61,588, slightly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range spans from $49,763 at the 10th percentile to $77,967 at the 90th percentile. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflect not only the local demand for educators but also the structured pay scale often seen within the public school system in this district. Teachers placing at different tiers on the step-and-lane system, especially those with master’s degrees or further advanced education, are positioned strategically for competitive salaries in comparison to their peers nationwide.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,763 | $23.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,288 | $24.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,588 | $29.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,749 | $30.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,967 | $37.48 |
Median Salary Position
4.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spartanburg
In Spartanburg, SC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,204 (2026 est.). At $61,588, the local median is 4.66% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spartanburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spartanburg Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Spartanburg median: $61,588/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spartanburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,526 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -4.66% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $61,588 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.66% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 0.10% above the South Carolina state average of $61,526.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spartanburg has a cost of living 8.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spartanburg, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.051 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $61,588 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,641 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.83% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,880
2025 BLS Actual
$60,990
2026 Current Est.
$61,588
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,588 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spartanburg metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $56,880 (2019) to $60,990 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,311 (9.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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) | $49,763 – $50,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,288 – $61,588 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,588 – $63,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,749 – $77,967 |
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 Spartanburg
Employing approximately 1,530 elementary educators, Spartanburg presents a mix of opportunities and challenges for aspiring teachers. The cost of living index of 91.051 indicates that weekend salaries stretch further here than in many high-cost areas, enhancing purchasing power for educators. Local districts, particularly K-12 public schools, offer competitive compensation, while charter schools might provide variable pay depending on their operational structures. Factors influencing salary disparities include the district’s step-and-lane scale, specialized stipends for high-need areas such as special education and STEM subjects, and opportunities for additional income through summer contracts or after-school tutoring. For those in Spartanburg, pursuing additional qualifications like National Board Certification, advanced degrees, or taking on leadership roles can be beneficial strategies to enhance earning potential in the competitive educational landscape.
More salary data for Spartanburg, 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 $60,990 for elementary school teachersin the Spartanburg 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