Elementary School Teacher Salary in Tega Cay, SC: $56,746 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Tega Cay, SC earns a median $56,746/year (≈ $27.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Tega Cay's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tega Cay, South Carolina, the expected median annual salary for an elementary school teacher in 2026 is $56,746, which represents a noteworthy gap compared to the national median of $64,597. This salary falls within a broader range, from $46,044 for the lowest earners (P10) to $86,317 for the top 10% (P90). These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and regional price adjustments that take into account the cost of living. With a cost of living index at 91.5, teachers in Tega Cay can find their purchasing power impacted, suggesting that while salaries may seem competitive locally, they may not fully compensate for the financial demands of the area.
About the Tega Cay Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,044 | $22.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,978 | $25.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,746 | $27.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,995 | $33.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,317 | $41.50 |
Median Salary Position
12.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tega Cay
In Tega Cay, SC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,273 (2026 est.). At $56,746, the local median is 12.15% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tega Cay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tega Cay Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Tega Cay median: $56,746/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tega Cay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,480 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -12.15% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Tega Cay, SC earn a median of $56,746 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.15% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.70% below the South Carolina state average of $61,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tega Cay 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.
Tega Cay, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $56,746 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,418
2025 BLS Actual
$56,195
2026 Current Est.
$56,746
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Tega Cay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,418 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,533 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,937 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,192 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,962 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,746 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,302 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tega Cay metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $52,418 (2019) to $56,195 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,884 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tega Cay 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) | $46,044 – $52,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,978 – $56,746 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,746 – $69,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,995 – $86,317 |
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 Tega Cay
Currently, only four elementary school teachers work in Tega Cay, indicating a tight job market with limited positions available. The local cost of living can affect teacher salaries, making it essential to consider purchasing power when evaluating job offers. Schools in Tega Cay include several public districts, which typically utilize a step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and educational attainment. Factors such as shortage area stipends for special education or STEM roles can create a significant disparity in pay, particularly for positions that require additional certifications or responsibilities like after-school tutoring. To maximize potential earnings in this market, teachers should actively pursue advanced degrees or National Board Certification and remain aware of positions in public, charter, and private schools, as pay structures can vary significantly.
More salary data for Tega Cay, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in Tega Cay, SC in 2026?
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Can elementary school teachers make $100K in Tega Cay?
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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 $56,195 for elementary school teachersin the Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay 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