Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Elementary School Teacher Salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, elementary school teachers earned a median annual wage of $51,500 ($24.76/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $42,700/year and the 90th was $58,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $42,014 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$51,500$24.76 per hour · $4,292 monthly
10th Percentile$42,700$20.53/hr base
25th Percentile$44,500$21.39/hr base
75th Percentile$56,000$26.92/hr base
90th Percentile$58,700$28.22/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

$51,500
$20,000$105,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$51,500
Net 82%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,014After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,501Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,616Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,000 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,546 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,940 / yr

Elementary School Teachers Wage Percentiles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, 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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$20.53/hr$3,558$42,700$35,294
25th Percentile$21.39/hr$3,708$44,500$36,669
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$24.76/hr$4,292$51,500$42,014
75th Percentile$26.92/hr$4,667$56,000$45,450
90th Percentile$28.22/hr$4,892$58,700$47,512

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$62,787Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index88.511.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio82%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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

What is the median salary for elementary school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The official BLS median annual wage for elementary school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $51,500, which equates to approximately $4,292 per month or $24.76 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for elementary school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

The median hourly wage for elementary school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $24.76 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $20.53/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.22/hour.

What is the pay range for elementary school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

BLS wage estimates for elementary school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $42,700 at the 10th percentile to $44,500 at the 25th, $56,000 at the 75th, and $58,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do elementary school teachers take home after taxes in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On a median gross salary of $51,500, an estimated $42,014 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,616 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $9,486 (an effective rate of 18.4%).

How much do elementary school teachers make per month in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

On the median annual salary of $51,500, gross monthly income is $4,292. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,501 per month (or $1,616 every two weeks).

Is $51,500 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $51,500, the median salary for elementary school teachers is 82% of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median household income ($62,787). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 88.5, making regional consumer goods and services 11.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.