Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$52,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $64,370
State Rank
#48 of 51
20,650 employed here

How much do Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in North Carolina?

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $52,010 per year, or about $25.00 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $64,370 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $44,660 while the top 10% make $61,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,050 and $59,110 a year.

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,660$21.47
25th percentile (early career)$47,050$22.62
50th percentile (median)$52,010$25.00
75th percentile (experienced)$59,110$28.42
90th percentile (top earners)$61,770$29.70

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$102,140
2California$98,950
3New York$94,840
4Connecticut$93,610
5Rhode Island$92,760

Working as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in North Carolina

Nationally, about 620,000 people work as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($52,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in North Carolina?
The median Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in North Carolina is $52,010 per year, or about $25.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,660 at the entry level to $61,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education about 19% less than the national median of $64,370. North Carolina ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,010 a year. About 20,650 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.