North Carolina Median
$56,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.29
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#47 of 51
3,400 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in North Carolina?
A Special Education Teacher, Secondary School working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $56,770 per year, or about $27.29 per hour. That is 24% below the national median of $74,260 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $45,200 while the top 10% make $70,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,450 and $61,100 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,200 | $21.73 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,450 | $22.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,770 | $27.29 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,100 | $29.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,600 | $33.94 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in other states
Washington $101,120California $101,060District of Columbia $99,670Maryland $93,530Rhode Island $92,990New York $89,310Massachusetts $83,890New Jersey $83,770Connecticut $81,710Alaska $80,580Illinois $79,890Vermont $79,360Delaware $78,490Michigan $78,050Oregon $77,400Pennsylvania $77,000New Mexico $76,940Minnesota $76,600Ohio $76,180Georgia $74,150New Hampshire $69,560Virginia $68,400Colorado $67,240Hawaii $65,980Texas $64,830Arizona $64,300Utah $64,210Wisconsin $63,520Nebraska $63,460Wyoming $62,750Montana $62,310Alabama $62,210South Carolina $62,150Maine $61,710Florida $61,510Tennessee $61,360North Dakota $61,210Indiana $61,130Nevada $60,810Iowa $60,780Kentucky $60,730Idaho $60,700Kansas $60,700Oklahoma $59,660Louisiana $59,100Arkansas $57,000Missouri $55,920West Virginia $55,390South Dakota $54,810Mississippi $51,970
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School in North Carolina
Nationally, about 164,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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 ($56,770) 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, Secondary School make in North Carolina?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in North Carolina is $56,770 per year, or about $27.29 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,200 at the entry level to $70,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 24% less than the national median of $74,260. North Carolina ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,770 a year. About 3,400 Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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, Secondary 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.