North Carolina Median
$59,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#43 of 51
2,470 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in North Carolina?
Special Education Teachers, Middle School in North Carolina take home a median of $59,360 annually — roughly $28.54 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $66,810.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $44,580 while the top 10% make $73,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,510 and $61,830 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,580 | $21.43 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,510 | $23.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,360 | $28.54 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,830 | $29.73 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,670 | $35.42 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Middle School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in other states
California $101,530Washington $99,520Rhode Island $93,970New York $93,820Connecticut $92,900Massachusetts $84,550Alaska $81,000District of Columbia $79,170New Jersey $79,110Utah $78,920Oregon $78,360Delaware $77,420Pennsylvania $77,040Maryland $76,410Michigan $76,040Illinois $74,730Ohio $74,590New Mexico $74,440Vermont $73,110Georgia $70,550New Hampshire $66,760Colorado $66,130Wisconsin $65,840Montana $63,960Virginia $63,820Minnesota $63,630Iowa $63,590Nebraska $63,460Maine $63,440Texas $63,360Nevada $63,280Alabama $62,850Wyoming $62,770South Carolina $62,310Arizona $62,130Hawaii $61,750Florida $60,440Kentucky $60,200Idaho $60,170Tennessee $60,000Kansas $59,780Louisiana $59,420Indiana $58,900North Dakota $57,680Arkansas $56,830West Virginia $56,440South Dakota $51,360Mississippi $50,750Oklahoma $50,450Missouri $50,370
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Middle School in North Carolina
Nationally, about 95,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Middle School 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 ($59,360) 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 does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in North Carolina?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in North Carolina is $59,360 per year, or about $28.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,580 at the entry level to $73,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 11% less than the national median of $66,810. North Carolina ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,360 a year. About 2,470 Special Education Teachers, Middle School 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 Special Education Teacher, Middle School 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.