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How much do teachers make in North Carolina?
In NC, teachers earn a base salary paid by the state. Most counties offer an additional salary supplement on top of that! Your total salary will depend on your location, experience and education level.
Your starting salary, or entry level salary, is how much you'll make in your first year right after you finish your teaching program. The state of North Carolina pays a starting teacher salary of $41,000. Remember, that doesn't include the additional supplement from the county!
Average salary refers to what all teachers make, on average. That includes people who have been in the job for years. North Carolina’s average teacher salary is $58,292. (1)
Want more salary info? Our free Salary & Benefits Guide has salaries from a range of districts all over North Carolina—so you can see specific numbers from your region!
There are many ways to increase your salary, including advanced degrees and certifications, leading extracurriculars and meeting performance benchmarks.
Increase Your Teacher Salary
You’ve got options to earn even more as a teacher. Here are a few ways you can boost your pay:
- Teach in a high-need area. You may earn more if you teach a shortage-area subject, like math or special education, or if you teach in a low-performing school.
- Earn an advanced credential. You’ll earn more with a master’s degree or National Board Certification. In NC, National Board Certified teachers can receive up to a 12 percent salary increase! (2)
- Lead an extracurricular. Many districts offer stipends if you lead an extracurricular, such as yearbook, choir or athletics. This extra pay can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars!
- Get credit for prior experience. You could earn more for work experience relevant to your teaching subject! Talk to your school district hiring manager to determine your eligibility.
How much do similar professions make in North Carolina?
Salary numbers are important, but you may be wondering how teaching compares to other skilled professions.
A North Carolina teacher’s salary is comparable to or even higher than many similar fields. Plus, teachers are contracted to work about 190 days each year, compared with 260 work days in most other fields. (3)
Benefits for Teachers
Career Growth for NC Teachers
Get the TeachNC Teacher Salary & Benefits Guide! Inside, you’ll find:
- Sample teacher salaries across NC, so you can see specific numbers from your region
- Financial aid opportunities—such as loan forgiveness and home buying programs for teachers
- Info on:
- Career and salary growth opportunities for teachers
- Teacher job security
- And more!
It's all free.
What’s next
Find Your Teacher Career Path | TeachNC
From teacher support to district leadership to education policy, there’s no one map for your education career.
Read MoreCareer Coaching in North Carolina
Talk to an expert about how to become a licensed teacher in North Carolina. Get free advice on what to teach and how to choose and apply to the right program.
Read MoreReferences
- “Teacher Pay and Student Spending: How Does Your State Rank?” National Education Association. April 29, 2025. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank
- National Board Certification. NC Department of Public Instruction. https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/national-board-certification
- Salary Finder. CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/wages/find-salary.aspx
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