BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Special Education Teachers in North Carolina

$66,360 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$31.9 per hour

▼ 16.8% below U.S. average26th of 42 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$66,360per year
Median$65,170per year
Hourly$31.9per hour
10th – 90th percentile$50,440 – $74,940per year

Special Education Teachers Pay Range in North Carolina

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,440
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$60,040
  • 50th Percentile — Median$65,170
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$74,890
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,940

Half of Special Education Teachers in North Carolina earn more than $65,170. The top 10% make $74,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,440.

Special Education Teachers in North Carolina: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Carolina ranks 26th of 42 states for Special Education Teachers pay, at $66,360 per year (16.8% below the U.S. average of $79,750).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,440; the top 10% earn over $74,940.
  • Hourly equivalent: $31.9 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $101,160.
  • Among education jobs in North Carolina, Business Professors pays the most ($100,340).

Special Education Teachers Job Market in North Carolina

Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Special Education Teachers here earn $66,360 on average, placing the state 26th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $66,360 is roughly equivalent to $72,923 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($67,330), Wisconsin ($67,230), Tennessee ($66,680) are the closest alternatives for Special Education Teachers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Special Education Teachers salary in North Carolina?

The average Special Education Teachers salary in North Carolina is $66,360 per year (median $65,170), which is 16.8% below the national average of $79,750.

How does North Carolina rank for Special Education Teachers pay?

North Carolina ranks 26th out of 42 states. The highest-paying state is California ($101,160/yr).

How much do entry-level Special Education Teachers make in North Carolina?

The lowest-paid 10% of Special Education Teachers in North Carolina earn about $50,440 per year and the 25th percentile is $60,040.

How much do Special Education Teachers make per hour in North Carolina?

About $31.9 per hour, based on the $66,360 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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