Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Elementary School Teacher Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

In the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metropolitan area, elementary school teachers earned a median annual wage of $56,800 ($27.31/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $47,100/year and the 90th was $64,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $46,061 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.6 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$56,800$27.31 per hour · $4,733 monthly
10th Percentile$47,100$22.64/hr base
25th Percentile$49,100$23.61/hr base
75th Percentile$61,800$29.71/hr base
90th Percentile$64,700$31.11/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$56,800
$20,000$115,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$56,800
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$46,061After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,838Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,772Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,636 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,758 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,345 / yr

Elementary School Teachers Wage Percentiles in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Elementary School Teachers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$38,654
25th Percentile$23.61/hr$4,092$49,100$40,181
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$27.31/hr$4,733$56,800$46,061
75th Percentile$29.71/hr$5,150$61,800$49,879
90th Percentile$31.11/hr$5,392$64,700$52,094

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$56,800 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$83,500Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.62.4% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio68%of area median income

Compare elementary school teachers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in North Carolina:

Frequently Asked Questions About Elementary School Teachers Pay in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

What is the median salary for elementary school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for elementary school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $56,800, which equates to approximately $4,733 per month or $27.31 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for elementary school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

The median hourly wage for elementary school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $27.31 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $22.64/hour and one in ten earned more than $31.11/hour.

What is the pay range for elementary school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

BLS wage estimates for elementary school teachers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC span from $47,100 at the 10th percentile to $49,100 at the 25th, $61,800 at the 75th, and $64,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do elementary school teachers take home after taxes in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On a median gross salary of $56,800, an estimated $46,061 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,772 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $10,739 (an effective rate of 18.9%).

How much do elementary school teachers make per month in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

On the median annual salary of $56,800, gross monthly income is $4,733. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,838 per month (or $1,772 every two weeks).

Is $56,800 a good salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?

At $56,800, the median salary for elementary school teachers is 68% of the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC median household income ($83,500). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.6, making regional consumer goods and services 2.4% cheaper than the U.S. average.