Substitute Teacher, Short-Term Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$33,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $41,670
State Rank
#38 of 50
20,360 employed here

How much does a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in North Carolina?

A Substitute Teacher, Short-Term working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $33,780 per year, or about $16.24 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $41,670 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $28,390 while the top 10% make $45,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,190 and $37,760 a year.

Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$28,390$13.65
25th percentile (early career)$30,190$14.51
50th percentile (median)$33,780$16.24
75th percentile (experienced)$37,760$18.15
90th percentile (top earners)$45,040$21.65

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 38th out of 50 states and territories for Substitute Teacher, Short-Term pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$66,920
2California$60,300
3Hawaii$58,530
4Oregon$58,280
5Washington$55,740

Working as a Substitute Teacher, Short-Term in North Carolina

Nationally, about 525,000 people work as Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 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 ($33,780) 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 Substitute Teacher, Short-Term make in North Carolina?
The median Substitute Teacher, Short-Term salary in North Carolina is $33,780 per year, or about $16.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,390 at the entry level to $45,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Substitute Teachers, Short-Term about 19% less than the national median of $41,670. North Carolina ranks 38th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,780 a year. About 20,360 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 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 Substitute Teacher, Short-Term 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.