Special Education Teacher, Preschool Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$60,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $64,830
State Rank
#27 of 45
640 employed here

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Preschool make in North Carolina?

A Special Education Teacher, Preschool working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $60,180 per year, or about $28.93 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $64,830 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $42,300 while the top 10% make $73,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,370 and $68,840 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,300$20.34
25th percentile (early career)$48,370$23.25
50th percentile (median)$60,180$28.93
75th percentile (experienced)$68,840$33.10
90th percentile (top earners)$73,780$35.47

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 27th out of 45 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Preschool pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$99,070
2New Jersey$92,060
3Connecticut$87,960
4Washington$86,580
5Maryland$85,010

Working as a Special Education Teacher, Preschool in North Carolina

Nationally, about 30,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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 ($60,180) 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, Preschool make in North Carolina?
The median Special Education Teacher, Preschool salary in North Carolina is $60,180 per year, or about $28.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,300 at the entry level to $73,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Special Education Teachers, Preschool about 7% less than the national median of $64,830. North Carolina ranks 27th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Special Education Teachers, Preschool?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,180 a year. About 640 Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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, Preschool 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.