SOC 25-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — Central North Carolina
Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Central North Carolina, NC is $47,360 per year, substantially below the national median of $63,970 — a gap of 26.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Central North Carolina, NC is $47,360 per year, substantially below the national median of $63,970 — a gap of 26.0%. Half of workers earn between $46,330 and $58,310. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $41,130 and the ninetieth at $59,430.
The area has 4,280 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 18.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Raleigh records the highest median at $60,170. Of the 438 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 242nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,130 | −35.7% |
| 25th | $46,330 | −27.6% |
| Median (50th) | $47,360 | −26.0% |
| 75th | $58,310 | −8.8% |
| 90th | $59,430 | −7.1% |
| Mean | $50,560 | −21.0% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $60,170 | 5,830 | |
| 2 | Greensboro | $59,730 | 2,590 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $58,680 | 10,770 | |
| 4 | Burlington | $56,740 | 670 | |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $56,510 | 2,220 | |
| 6 | Greenville | $55,490 | 740 | |
| 7 | Fayetteville | $54,350 | 1,490 | |
| 8 | Durham | $51,400 | 2,430 | |
| 9 | Pinehurst | $50,540 | 530 | |
| 10 | Asheville | $50,080 | 1,450 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $47,360 goes as far as $50,223 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,223US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,360 a year, 26.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,130 to $59,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Raleigh, at $60,170.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in Central North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $47,360, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,970, so pay in Central North Carolina, NC is 26.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central North Carolina, NC earns more than $59,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,130 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Raleigh, at $60,170 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,280 jobs in this occupation in Central North Carolina, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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