📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Special Education Teacher Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$60,315
per year
Median
$57,894
per year
Hourly
$29.0
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,396
25th Percentile — Junior$52,294
50th Percentile — Median$57,894
75th Percentile — Senior$74,562
90th Percentile — Top Earners$82,255
💡 Top-earning Special Education Teachers in North Carolina make up to $82,255 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$50.8k
2021
$52.6k
2022
$54.4k
2023
$56.3k
2024
$58.3k
2025
$60.3k
2026
📈 Special Education Teacher salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Special Education Teacher Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $57,902 -4.0% Very High
Raleigh $59,109 -2.0% Very High
Greensboro $54,284 -10.0% Very High
Durham $58,506 -3.0% Very High
Winston-Salem $52,474 -13.0% Very High
🔍
Special Education Teacher Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for Special Education Teachers. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $60,315 per year, North Carolina's Special Education Teacher salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $42,396–$52,294, while experienced Special Education Teachers can command $74,562–$82,255.

Looking ahead, the Special Education Teacher profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Special Education Teacher salary in North Carolina is $60,315 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $66,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Special Education Teachers the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Special Education Teacher employment.
  • At $60,315/year, North Carolina Special Education Teacher salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $66,280/year.