North Carolina Median
$58,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#42 of 51
4,430 employed here
How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in North Carolina?
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in North Carolina take home a median of $58,260 annually — roughly $28.01 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $65,120.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $44,720 while the top 10% make $73,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,500 and $61,430 a year.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,500 | $23.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,260 | $28.01 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,430 | $29.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,990 | $35.57 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other states
District of Columbia $97,910California $97,170Washington $95,040Massachusetts $91,350Rhode Island $84,300Connecticut $82,950New York $81,260Alaska $80,230Maryland $78,850Illinois $77,960Oregon $77,700New Jersey $76,660New Mexico $76,420Michigan $74,600Colorado $74,290Vermont $74,200Ohio $73,970Georgia $72,880Pennsylvania $72,680Virginia $67,740Minnesota $67,620Delaware $65,990New Hampshire $65,160Nevada $65,110Alabama $64,520Idaho $63,610Tennessee $62,560Nebraska $62,420South Carolina $62,360Texas $62,330Maine $61,880Wisconsin $61,520Utah $61,290Hawaii $60,940Wyoming $60,930Iowa $60,440Kentucky $60,060Kansas $59,970Florida $58,850Louisiana $58,800Indiana $58,760North Dakota $57,950Montana $57,630Missouri $57,260Arizona $56,030Arkansas $54,290South Dakota $51,090Oklahoma $50,630Mississippi $50,570West Virginia $50,380
Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in North Carolina
Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 ($58,260) 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 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in North Carolina?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in North Carolina is $58,260 per year, or about $28.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,720 at the entry level to $73,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 11% less than the national median of $65,120. North Carolina ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,260 a year. About 4,430 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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.