Teacher Salary

Charleston vs Easley: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Charleston, SC and Easley, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$61,618
$29.63/hr
Easley, SC
$57,060
$27.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCEasley, SC
Median Salary$61,618$57,060
Hourly Rate$29.63$27.44
Entry Level (P10)$49,622$46,889
25th Percentile$59,709$53,656
75th Percentile$77,694$70,701
Top Earner (P90)$79,643$87,514
Total Employed4,6704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($61,618) and Easley ($57,060) elementary school teacher salaries.CharlestonEasleyMedian Salary$61,618$57,060Entry Level (P10)$49,622$46,889Top Earner (P90)$79,643$87,514US Median $64,597

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Easley.

The salary gap between Charleston and Easley is $4,558 (7.99%). Charleston's median is -4.61% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $30,021,Easley spans $40,625. Easley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced elementary school teachers.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$49,622
P25$59,709
Median$61,618
P75$77,694
P90 (Top)$79,643
Easley
P10 (Entry)$46,889
P25$53,656
Median$57,060
P75$70,701
P90 (Top)$87,514

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Easley ($62,361 effective) pays 2.18% more than Charleston ($61,031 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $61,618
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $61,031
Easley
Nominal: $57,060
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $62,361

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,618/year)
  • Larger job market (4,670 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Easley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,514)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,361)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Charleston grew 19.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in Easley over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+19.3%

$51,130 (2019) → $61,020 (2025)

Easley, SC

+14.8%

$49,233 (2024) → $56,506 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Charleston or Easley?

Charleston has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $61,618/year, compared to Easley at $57,060/year — a difference of $4,558 (7.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Easley?

Charleston elementary school teachers earn $29.63/hr while Easley hygienists earn $27.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Easley as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Easley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $61,031, Easley = $62,361), job availability (4,670 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Charleston vs Easley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $49,622 in Charleston and $46,889 in Easley. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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