Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
In North Carolina, elementary school teachers, except special educations earn $54,930 at the median. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $59,281 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,284/month, about 34.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $55K get you in North Carolina?
About elementary school teachers, except special educations
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Pay for elementary school teachers, except special education in North Carolina runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $64K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,284/month, which is 35.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for elementary school teachers, except special educations.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level elementary school teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $63K or more, a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in North Carolina
15 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary | $60K | +10% | 5,830 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $60K | +9% | 2,590 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $59K | +7% | 10,770 |
| Burlington | $57K | +3% | 670 |
| Winston-Salem | $57K | +3% | 2,220 |
| Greenville | $55K | +1% | 740 |
| Fayetteville | $54K | -1% | 1,490 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $51K | -6% | 2,430 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $51K | -8% | 530 |
| Asheville | $50K | -9% | 1,450 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $50K | -10% | 1,560 |
| Goldsboro | $49K | -10% | 640 |
| Rocky Mount | $49K | -11% | 550 |
| Jacksonville | $48K | -12% | 1,000 |
| Wilmington | $48K | -12% | 1,920 |
Showing 1–10 of 15 metros
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Track elementary school teachers, except special education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $55K, rent takes 35.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for elementary school teachers, except special educations in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new elementary school teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,734/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is elementary school teachers, except special education a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $55K here vs. $64K nationally. Cost of living is 7% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for elementary school teachers, except special educations?
North Carolina pays $55K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $59K — below the national median.
How much do elementary school teachers, except special educations make in North Carolina?
The median is $54,930 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,570, and experienced elementary school teachers, except special educations can clear $62,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,642/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 35.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a elementary school teachers, except special education salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary is worth about $59,281 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do elementary school teachers, except special educations get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.