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High School Teacher Salary in Winston-Salem, NC — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Winston-Salem's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

High School Teacher Salary in Winston-Salem — Key Numbers

$55,493
Median Salary
$43,340
25th Percentile
$71,122
75th Percentile
$88,484
90th Percentile
National median (High School Teacher)$63,060
vs. National median-12.0%
Winston-Salem median household income$52,600
vs. City household income+5.5%

Cost of Living in Winston-Salem

Cost of Living Index
88(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$950/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio20.5%
Annual rent cost$11,400
Median Home Price$230,000
Home Price / Salary4.1×
20% Down Payment$46,000
Years to save (20% rate)4.1 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Winston-Salem

4.2%
Unemployment Rate
680,000
Metro Population
22 min
Avg Commute
35.7
Median Age

Winston-Salem has a metro population of 680,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Winston-Salem

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Cost of Living — Winston-Salem
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High School Teacher Salary in North Carolina
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Winston-Salem

Physician$201,784Chief Executive Officer$184,800Dentist$154,449IT Manager$149,169Marketing Manager$138,706Lawyer$128,269

High School Teacher Salary — Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC$65,582Raleigh, NC$66,213Durham, NC$65,582Greensboro, NC$55,493Fayetteville, NC$52,970

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a High School Teacher make in Winston-Salem, NC?

The estimated median salary for a High School Teacher in Winston-Salem is $55,493 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $63,060 adjusted by Winston-Salem's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $43,340 (25th percentile) to $71,122 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $88,484.

Is Winston-Salem affordable for a High School Teacher?

On a $55,493 annual salary, a High School Teacher in Winston-Salem would spend approximately 20.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($950/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Winston-Salem relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $230,000 is 4.1× the annual salary.

How does a High School Teacher's salary compare to Winston-Salem's overall income?

Winston-Salem's median household income is $52,600. A High School Teacher earning the city-adjusted median of $55,493 earns 5.5% more than the typical Winston-Salem household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

High School Teacher — NationalHigh School Teacher in North CarolinaAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.