Elementary School Teacher Salary in Summerville, SC: $60,222 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Summerville, SC earns a median $60,222/year (≈ $28.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Summerville, South Carolina, elementary school teacher salaries are projected to sit at a median annual figure of $60,222 for 2026, reflecting a noteworthy position relative to the national median of $64,597. Local estimates indicate a salary range stretching from $46,719 at the 10th percentile to $93,345 at the 90th percentile, highlighting disparities based on experience and educational attainment. These numbers, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, underscore how the local employment context can impact overall compensation. Given the competitive nature of many High Cost of Living (HCOL) districts, Summerville offers a unique backdrop where salaries must align with the cost of living index, which presently stands below the national average.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,719 | $22.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,054 | $26.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,222 | $28.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,085 | $37.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,345 | $44.88 |
Median Salary Position
6.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,626 (2026 est.). At $60,222, the local median is 6.77% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Summerville median: $60,222/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,514 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -6.77% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Summerville, SC earn a median of $60,222 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $61,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $60,222 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,629
2025 BLS Actual
$59,638
2026 Current Est.
$60,222
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,629 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,813 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,512 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,368 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,222 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,813 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $55,629 (2019) to $59,638 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,813 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,184 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $46,719 – $55,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,054 – $60,222 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,222 – $77,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,085 – $93,345 |
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 Summerville
The local job market for elementary school teachers in Summerville consists of 12 educators, indicating a relatively small yet stable workforce. The cost-of-living index of 91.5 reflects an affordability advantage, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of teachers' salaries despite the slightly lower pay scale compared to national standards. Those seeking higher pay may find that K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive compensation, particularly for positions requiring specialized skills in high-demand areas like STEM or special education, often involving additional stipends. Furthermore, understanding the district's step-and-lane pay structure can lead to better compensation as educators progress through their careers. Strategic opportunities, such as pursuing advanced degrees, gaining certifications like the National Board Certification, or engaging in summer school contracts and after-school tutoring, can significantly influence overall earnings in Summerville's educational landscape.
More salary data for Summerville, 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 $59,638 for elementary school teachersin the Summerville 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
Salary data for Summerville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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