Elementary School Teacher Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $48,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $48,844/year (โ $23.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $53,042 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data ยท View source

In 2026, elementary school teachers in Jacksonville, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $48,844, significantly lower than the national median of $64,597. The salary range for local educators extends from $44,260 at the 10th percentile to as high as $58,336 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment statistics and reflect a local market that values experience and educational attainment within its step-and-lane scale pay structure. For example, teachers with a master's degree or those pursuing additional educational qualifications, such as a master's+30, may have opportunities for higher compensation and may find that their placement on the scale enhances their long-term earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,026 | $22.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,844 | $23.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,832 | $27.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,336 | $28.04 |
Median Salary Position
24.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,076 (2026 est.). At $48,844, the local median is 24.39% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $48,844/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $51,907 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -24.39% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $48,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.39% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 5.90% below the North Carolina state average of $51,907.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $48,844 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,042 in an average-cost city โ an effective 8.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,650
2025 BLS Actual
$48,370
2026 Current Est.
$48,844
2019โ2027 Growth
+10.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Jacksonville (2019โ2027)
2019โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,323 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 8.3% from $44,650 (2019) to $48,370 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,323 by 2027 โ a total increase of $4,673 (10.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,260 โ $47,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,026 โ $48,844 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,844 โ $56,832 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,832 โ $58,336 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Jacksonville
The job market for elementary school teachers in Jacksonville appears stable, with around 1,000 educators employed in the area. The prevailing cost-of-living index of 92.085 indicates a below-average cost relative to national standards, suggesting that the purchasing power for teachers may be somewhat favorable despite lower salaries. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally provide the most competitive pay, while charter networks and private schools may offer varied salary packages depending on their specific programs and funding. Factors like advanced degree attainment, stipends for shortage areas (such as special education and STEM), and additional roles like summer school or after-school tutoring can significantly influence income. Teachers looking to maximize their earnings in Jacksonville should consider these opportunities and focus on enhancing their qualifications to leverage higher pay on the district's step-and-lane scale.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,370 for elementary school teachersin the Jacksonville metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (โ). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov