North Carolina Teacher Salaries

Being a teacher is a noble and rewarding vocation, but what most people don't know is that it's also a well-compensated one. But in addition to salary, teachers also enjoy generous benefits that many other jobs simply don't provide—not least of which are the long summer vacations. North Carolina teacher salaries, for instance, come with paid legal holidays, state health plan options, a comprehensive retirement system, and more.*

The average North Carolina teaching salary in 2009-2010 was $48,648, according to the National Education Association—slightly below the national average for teachers, but well above the average salary for North Carolina ($39,420, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).**

There are many things that can affect your salary, though. Factors such as geographic location and the varying cost of living have a noticeable effect on North Carolina teaching salaries. Below are average secondary school teaching salaries in the five largest metropolitan areas in the state:**

• Charlotte: $45,390
• Durham: $49,050
• Greensboro: $45,300
• Raleigh: $46,310
• Winston-Salem: $43,450

In North Carolina, teaching salaries also vary depending on what grade level you teach and how many years of experience you have. The average annual wage for elementary school teachers, for example, is $42,549, while secondary school teachers earn $44,265 on average. But if you're just starting out in your K-12 job, your salary's more likely to be around $33,000.***

Teachers are charged with a vitally important job: educating our nation's children for the future. If you're interested in becoming a teacher in North Carolina, start your research here on Teacher World.

Sources:
* Public Schools of North Carolina
** U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
*** North Carolina Occupational Employment and Wages