SOC 25-2021 · Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Charleston, SC

The average salary for elementary school teachers (except special education) in Charleston, South Carolina is $65,160 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $61,020: half of the 4,670 people in this job in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

$65,160average per year

Median $61,020Take-home ≈ $52,531

  • $49K10th
  • $59K25th
  • $61KMedian
  • $77K75th
  • $79K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

4,670people in this job
-10%vs U.S. average
#2 of 7South Carolina metros
101cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Charleston

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,140 a year or less, while the top 10% make $78,870 or more. The middle half of elementary school teachers (except special education) in Charleston earn between $59,130 and $76,940.

  • $49K10th
  • $59K25th
  • $61KMedian
  • $77K75th
  • $79K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$65,160$5,430—
Median$61,020$5,085—
Entry level (25th percentile)$59,130$4,928—
Experienced (75th percentile)$76,940$6,412—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Charleston vs. South Carolina and the U.S.

Elementary school teachers (except special education) in Charleston earn 5% more than the South Carolina average ($62,210) and 10% less than the U.S. average ($72,650). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $63,970.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Charleston$65,160$61,020$49,140$78,8704,670
South Carolina$62,210$60,820$48,410$77,57025,030
United States$72,650$63,970$47,960$104,3401,388,390

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Charleston

On the average salary of $65,160, a single filer in Charleston takes home about $52,531 a year, or $4,378 a month and $2,020 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).

South Carolina paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Charleston a good place for elementary school teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Charleston area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.0), so the average $65,160 buys what about $64,539 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Charleston ($49,150). A typical home costs $435,877, or 6.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $65,160 is worth in another city

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other South Carolina cities

Charleston ranks 2nd of 7 South Carolina metro areas for this job; Hilton Head Island pays the most ($65,800).

All Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in South Carolina

Highest-paying cities for elementary school teachers (except special education)

Mount Vernon, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($106,760).

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Charleston: questions

What is the entry-level elementary school teachers (except special education) salary in Charleston?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,140 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,130, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the elementary school teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Charleston?

About $52,531 a year ($4,378 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $65,160.

Do elementary school teachers (except special education) earn more in Charleston than elsewhere?

The average here is 10% less than the U.S. average for this job ($72,650).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2021; area Charleston-North Charleston, SC (16700). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.33, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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