North Carolina Median
$54,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $63,970
State Rank
#46 of 51
42,410 employed here
How much does an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education make in North Carolina?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in North Carolina take home a median of $54,930 annually — roughly $26.41 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $63,970.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $45,570 while the top 10% make $62,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,470 and $59,730 a year.
Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,570 | $21.91 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,930 | $26.41 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,730 | $28.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,590 | $30.09 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories for Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary in other states
Washington $102,350California $99,650District of Columbia $96,580Massachusetts $94,000Rhode Island $90,930New York $85,760Connecticut $80,600Alaska $79,260New Jersey $78,200Maryland $77,680Ohio $77,370Oregon $77,130Pennsylvania $77,060Minnesota $76,350Delaware $75,920Illinois $75,320Utah $74,810New Mexico $74,550New Hampshire $72,410Georgia $72,290Hawaii $71,410Virginia $65,550Michigan $65,110Nevada $65,040Colorado $63,410Vermont $63,070Texas $62,760Maine $62,390Nebraska $62,380Idaho $61,600Alabama $61,380Wisconsin $61,210Wyoming $61,150South Carolina $60,820Kentucky $60,610Iowa $60,580North Dakota $60,030Tennessee $59,980Indiana $59,700Florida $58,930Louisiana $58,770Montana $57,530Arizona $56,590Kansas $56,450West Virginia $55,630Arkansas $52,700Missouri $50,910South Dakota $50,130Mississippi $49,790Oklahoma $48,200
Working as an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education in North Carolina
Nationally, about 1,388,000 people work as Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($54,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education make in North Carolina?
The median Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary in North Carolina is $54,930 per year, or about $26.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,570 at the entry level to $62,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education about 14% less than the national median of $63,970. North Carolina ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,930 a year. About 42,410 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.