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

Official state-level BLS pay data for Secondary 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
$57,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $72,040
State Rank
#47 of 51
28,620 employed here

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

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in North Carolina take home a median of $57,650 annually — roughly $27.72 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $72,040.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $45,430 while the top 10% make $64,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,760 and $60,740 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,430$21.84
25th percentile (early career)$47,760$22.96
50th percentile (median)$57,650$27.72
75th percentile (experienced)$60,740$29.20
90th percentile (top earners)$64,460$30.99

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$102,670
2California$101,370
3New York$97,070
4Massachusetts$95,260
5Rhode Island$92,610

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

Nationally, about 1,065,000 people work as Secondary 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 ($57,650) 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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in North Carolina?
The median Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in North Carolina is $57,650 per year, or about $27.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,430 at the entry level to $64,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education about 20% less than the national median of $72,040. North Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,650 a year. About 28,620 Secondary 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 Secondary 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.