Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Wake Forest, NC: $24.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Wake Forest, NC runs $24.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,173 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Wake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,699 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the elementary school teacher hourly pay in Wake Forest, North Carolina, is projected to be $24.60. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.06, indicating that educators in this area may find themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to their counterparts nationwide. For part-time teachers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a modest income, particularly in typical educational settings such as K-12 classrooms, special education, and after-school programs. With an hourly range extending from $19.36 at the lower end to $38.13 for top earners, educational professionals can expect their pay to reflect their experience and the specific environments they work in, though these amounts are derived from broader annual salary data estimates.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.36 | $154.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.16 | $177.24 |
| Median (P50) | $24.60 | $196.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.50 | $251.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.13 | $305.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wake Forest
Based on $24.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.60/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wake Forest, NC can expect to earn approximately $51,165 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,518. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $983.95 | $4,264 | $51,165 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $590.37 | $2,558 | $30,699 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.58 | $1,706 | $20,466 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Wake Forest) | $24.60 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $51,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.78% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $51,899.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.60/hr = $30,699/year (purchasing power: $32,798).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,165/year (purchasing power: $54,664).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Wake Forest grew 7.2% from $22.72/hr (2019) to $24.36/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.84/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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.
Working as an Hourly Elementary School Teacher in Wake Forest
Analyzing the practical realities, a part-time elementary school teacher in Wake Forest working a 24-hour weekly schedule could expect a significantly reduced annual income compared to full-time educators, limiting their overall financial stability. For those interested in flexibility, per diem arrangements can be found within substitute teaching; rates in the area often range from $100 to $200 per day, depending on the district and the duration of the assignment. Many teachers choose this route for its adaptability, although long-term substitutes and tutoring can offer higher compensation, ranging from $30 to $80 per hour through online platforms. Geographic and institutional variations also affect hourly pay, with K-12 public districts generally offering different compensation compared to private and charter schools. Teachers may need to balance lower hourly wages against benefits such as health insurance when considering positions. Practical negotiation tips include researching comparable salaries within Wake Forest to advocate for fair compensation tailored to their experience level.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers in Wake Forest. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wake Forest 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