Jobs in North Carolina
Learn how you can start a high-demand career and make a difference for North Carolina students.
Educators are vital to our future, and they’re sought after in North Carolina schools. Find out how and where you can build a sustainable, fulfilling career while you give back to your community.
On this page, get information on:
Making a Difference for Students and Schools
In step with the national shortage of teachers, educators and paraeducators (like teaching assistants) in North Carolina are much a needed resource. High-need subject areas like math, science, special education and elementary education have additional vacancies.
If you’ve considered ways to help your community and future generations, becoming a teacher is a public service that is also a fulfilling and stable career.
You’ll have more job opportunities—and make a bigger impact—teaching in a high-needs area. When you get licensed to teach in a shortage area, you may also become eligible for generous student loan forgiveness programs. Some districts may also provide salary supplements and/or signing bonuses.
Where Teachers are Needed in North Carolina
If you’re inspired to make a difference for students, you can have a big effect working in an educator shortage area.
As of 2019, there were 94,410 teaching positions and 7,111 of those were unfilled at the start of the school year. (1) To get a sense of what subject areas are in high demand, here are the job openings for the beginning of the 2020 school year:
- Core K-5 (math, ELA, Science and Social studies K-5: 274
- Exceptional Children (special education) K-5: 137
- Exceptional Children 6-8: 82
- Exceptional Children 9-12: 84
- Math 6-8: 79
- Career and Technical (CTE) 9-12: 76
- ELA (English Language Arts) 6-8: 49
- Science 6-8: 57
- Math 9-12: 84
- ELA 9-12: 48
- Social Studies 6-8: 40
- Science 9-12: 45
- Social Studies 9-12: 20
Source: Public Schools of North Carolina
Search for schools that are currently looking to fill teaching, support staff, administration and many more positions on this job board provided by our partner, SchoolSpring.
Why are these “shortage areas”?
When you hear the term “shortage area,” you might be wondering why these areas are so hard to fill. There are a lot of reasons why the areas listed above have staffing shortages. We’ll go over a few of those here.
- They’re unfamiliar subjects. Many shortage area subjects are shortage areas in part because they’re unfamiliar to people. For example, unless you or someone close to you has received special ed services, you may not have a clear picture of what special education entails.
- They require more people. Some subject areas simply need lower student-to-teacher ratios to effectively support students. Special education students and English language learners often need more one-on-one support to excel. That means schools need to fill more jobs to work with a smaller group of students in those programs.
- Change takes time. North Carolina’s growing Latino population means that our state needs more Spanish-speaking teachers. But as the Washington Post explains:
“Latinos are younger, as a group, so they make up a greater share of the student population than the adult population. Teachers may stay in the profession for decades, so it takes time for the workforce to transform.” (2)
What is it Like Teaching in North Carolina?
What To Do if You’re Interested in Teaching
If you’re curious about teaching, but not sure if it’s right for you, we have good news: You don’t have to commit right away!
Senate Bill 582, which passed in the House and Senate in 2021, would address North Carolina’s teacher shortage by allowing people with a college degree to teach high school classes without a teaching license. (6)
There are a lot of ways you can gain education experience and get a sense of the work before you pursue a teaching license. For example, you can consider:
- Volunteering in classrooms or after-school programs. Organizations like North Carolina Education Corps allow you to gain hands on tutoring experience.
- Looking for full-time, non-teacher positions in schools
- Substituting as a teacher, teacher assistant or other non-full-time position
What do these jobs look like? In the next section, we’ll go over a few classroom roles and what to expect.
Education Roles in North Carolina
How to Get a Teaching License in North Carolina
If you’re wondering about the requirements to become a teacher in North Carolina, you’ve come to the right place.
To become a North Carolina teacher, you’ll need to complete a few steps. Here’s the Cliffs Notes version:
- Have at least a bachelor’s degree
- Complete an approved educator preparation program (EPP)
- Meet state teacher testing requirements
- Submit your teaching license application to the state
Becoming a teacher in North Carolina can sound like a lot—but that’s where TeachNC comes in! We’re here for you every step of the way, from choosing the right program to completing your applications to preparing for licensing tests. Chat with a TeachNC coach for more info on how to get started.
Visit our About Licensure page for a full explanation and (free!) downloadable PDF that covers the licensure process from start to finish.
Create an Account
Sign up for your free, all-access pass to TeachNC tools and services.
- Create a career roadmap.
- Get 1-on-1 expert advice from a North Carolina teacher.
- Follow how-to guides for getting licensed.
- Access prep program application checklists.
- Be in the know for the next scholarship opportunity.
- Claim fee reimbursements towards application and testing expenses.
We’re always working on something new to help the next generation of great teachers. With an account, you get first dibs!
References
- North Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow, North Carolina Teacher Shortage, https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/northcarolina/teacher-resources/teac…
- The Washington Post, America’s schools are more diverse than ever. But the teachers are still mostly white, https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/local/education/teacher-di…
- Life Storage Blog, 8 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to North Carolina, https://www.lifestorage.com/blog/moving/moving-to-north-carolina/
- EdNC, N.C. House releases full budget with salary proposals, https://www.ednc.org/2021-08-09-n-c-house-releases-full-budget-with-sal…
- NC Policy Watch, North Carolina’s public schools need teachers of color. How will the state recruit and retain them?, http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2020/12/09/north-carolinas-public-schools-…
- Richmond County Daily Journal, If you’re a college grad, you may be the answer to NC’s teacher shortage., https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/opinion/101382/opinion-if-youre-a-coll…