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

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

In the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan area, high school teachers earned a median annual wage of $54,100 ($26.01/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $42,600/year and the 90th was $60,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and North Carolina tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $43,999 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 88.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$54,100$26.01 per hour · $4,508 monthly
10th Percentile$42,600$20.48/hr base
25th Percentile$44,800$21.54/hr base
75th Percentile$57,000$27.40/hr base
90th Percentile$60,500$29.09/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

$54,100
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$54,100
Net 81%
Fed 8%
NC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$43,999After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,667Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,692Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,312 / yr
North Carolina state income tax$1,650 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,139 / yr

Secondary 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 Secondary School Teachers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NC)
10th Percentile$20.48/hr$3,550$42,600$35,218
25th Percentile$21.54/hr$3,733$44,800$36,898
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$26.01/hr$4,508$54,100$43,999
75th Percentile$27.40/hr$4,750$57,000$46,214
90th Percentile$29.09/hr$5,042$60,500$48,887

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$54,100 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 Ratio86.2%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary School Teachers Pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

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

The official BLS median annual wage for high school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $54,100, which equates to approximately $4,508 per month or $26.01 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for high school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $26.01 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $20.48/hour and one in ten earned more than $29.09/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for high school teachers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC span from $42,600 at the 10th percentile to $44,800 at the 25th, $57,000 at the 75th, and $60,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $54,100, an estimated $43,999 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,692 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in North Carolina in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $10,101 (an effective rate of 18.7%).

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

On the median annual salary of $54,100, gross monthly income is $4,508. After federal, FICA, and North Carolina state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,667 per month (or $1,692 every two weeks).

Is $54,100 a good salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?

At $54,100, the median salary for high school teachers is 86.2% 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.