Elementary Teacher salary in North Carolina
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An Elementary Teacher in North Carolina earns a median of $54,930 a year ($26.41/hour equivalent), 14.1% below the national median of $63,970. North Carolina ranks #46 of 51 states. About 42,410 people do this job in North Carolina.
Take-home pay in North Carolina
At the North Carolina median, a single filer keeps about $44,633 a year after federal, FICA and North Carolina taxes — $1,717 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the North Carolina paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $2,112.69
- Federal income tax
- −$169.68
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$130.99
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$30.63
- North Carolina income tax
- −$64.73
- Take-home pay
- $1,716.66
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $54,930
- Federal
- $4,412
- FICA
- $4,202
- State + local
- $1,683
- Net
- $44,633
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How North Carolina compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $102,350 |
| #2 | California | $99,650 |
| #3 | District of Columbia | $96,580 |
| #4 | Massachusetts | $94,000 |
| #5 | Rhode Island | $90,930 |
| #46 | North Carolina | $54,930 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $50,130 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $49,790 |
| #51 | Oklahoma | $48,200 |
See the national Elementary Teacher salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Elementary Teacher make in North Carolina?
The median salary is $54,930 a year and the average is $54,070 (BLS May 2025).
Is North Carolina a good state for elementary school teachers?
North Carolina ranks #46 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 14% below the national median of $63,970.
What is $54,930 after taxes in North Carolina?
About $44,633 a year ($1,717 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.