In addition to the varied landscape of coastlines, mountains and everything in between, North Carolina is a rapidly growing state with much to offer in terms of culture and opportunities.

“With a thriving business climate, low cost of living and beautiful landscapes across the state, living in North Carolina is a dream. With a population of over 10 million, North Carolina is the ninth largest state in the U.S. and it continues to grow. It’s a popular state for transplants, especially millennials, and it offers all sorts of lifestyles for a variety of residents.” (3)

Learn more about living and teaching in North Carolina here.

North Carolina’s average teacher salary is around $54,392, and most teacher salaries are on the rise. From 2019 to 2020, North Carolina’s average teacher salaries rose by 5.5 percent. (4) That’s one of the fastest-growing salaries in the nation!

Affordable Healthcare for NC Teachers

North Carolina offers teachers an affordable state healthcare plan, which will cover the following:

• Urgent Care

• Primary Physician Visits

• Outpatient Services

• Inpatient Hospital Care

• Preventive Care

• Emergency Services

Retirement Benefits for NC Teachers

In North Carolina, you’ll receive retirement funds through the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System. The longer you’ve worked in the school system, the more you’ll receive in retirement.

An Unbeatable Teacher Vacation Schedule

Vacation days will depend on your district, but in general you can expect: 

• Spring break

• December holiday break

• National holidays off

• Paid personal & sick days during the school year

As you probably know, teachers also get a long summer break. Teachers use this time to travel, explore professional development, relax or work elsewhere. Some districts offer summer positions for teachers, such as summer school classes or curriculum development jobs.

Paraeducators—also called paraprofessionals, teacher’s aides or classroom assistants—work closely with classroom teachers to support students.

As a paraeducator, you might help plan and schedule class activities, work one-on-one with students to practice skills like reading or math, supervise students during lunchtime or field trips…your role can change daily, so the work is always new and rarely boring.

Tutors work with students one-on-one or in small groups. As a tutor, you’ll collaborate with teachers and principals to make student support plans, work closely with students and track student progress.

Substitute teachers, or guest teachers, fill in when full-time teachers can’t be in the classroom. As a substitute, you’ll practice classroom management, lesson planning and instructional skills.

Substitute authorizations let you teach in K-12 classrooms, making it a great way to get a taste for many different age groups and subjects, and see what appeals to you.

If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to start on your North Carolina teaching license, consider an alternative licensure pathway!

What is an residency teaching license? 

Alternative licensure programs let you start teaching in a classroom—and earning a salary—while you get licensed. You’ll work with a mentor and take coursework in the evenings, and implement what you’ve learned in your classroom during the day.

What do I need to get my residency license? 

To pursue residency licensure, you’ll need a job offer from a district. In your application, be sure to say that you’re ready to enroll in an alternative licensure program. Once you’ve gotten a job offer, your employer may be able to help you find the right teaching program for your situation.

If you already have your North Carolina teaching license—or are enrolled in a teaching program—you might be ready to start looking for a classroom position of your own.

We recommend visiting our job boards page to get started.