Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Columbia, SC
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $60,050 a year, based on BLS data for 4,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,010 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $63,970. Pay here is 1% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $60,820. There are 11 elementary school teachers, except special education per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for elementary school teachers, except special education in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,170 |
| 25th percentile | $50,710 |
| Median | $60,050 |
| 75th percentile | $62,650 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,010 |
| Average (mean) | $60,300 |
Half of elementary school teachers, except special education earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,004.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,502.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,309.62 |
| Weekly | $1,154.81 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because elementary school teachers, except special education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $64,990 | 870 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $63,000 | 2,400 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $61,020 | 4,670 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $60,990 | 1,530 |
| Florence, SC | $60,910 | 1,010 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $60,680 | 4,390 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,680 | 10,770 |
| Sumter, SC | $57,650 | 470 |
Highest-paying states for elementary school teachers, except special education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,350 |
| California | $99,650 |
| District of Columbia | $96,580 |
| Massachusetts | $94,000 |
| Rhode Island | $90,930 |
| New York | $85,760 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 |
| Alaska | $79,260 |
| New Jersey | $78,200 |
| Maryland | $77,680 |
See Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,280 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $59,400 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $63,270 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $60,880 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $58,860 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $65,010 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $58,900 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $59,360 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $27,860 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $61,290 | $29.47 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a elementary school teachers, except special education make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for elementary school teachers, except special education in the Columbia, SC metro area is $60,050 a year. Pay ranges from $48,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid elementary school teachers, except special education make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of elementary school teachers, except special education in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $76,010 a year. The top 25% earn $62,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for elementary school teachers, except special education in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,170 a year, and a quarter of elementary school teachers, except special education earn $50,710 or less.
How many elementary school teachers, except special education work in Columbia, SC?
About 4,360 elementary school teachers, except special education are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.