Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $58,260 a year, based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,800 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $58,260. There are 0.97 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $56,800, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,390 |
| 25th percentile | $47,230 |
| Median | $58,260 |
| 75th percentile | $62,240 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,800 |
| Average (mean) | $56,800 |
Half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,855 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,427.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,240.77 |
| Weekly | $1,120.38 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $78,330 | 1,750 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $61,050 | 1,390 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $60,860 | 1,360 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $60,000 | 270 |
| Greenville, NC | $55,970 | 90 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $55,820 | 180 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,750 | 130 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $54,350 | 120 |
| Burlington, NC | $53,920 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $53,660 | 130 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $50,420 | 70 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,270 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $49,170 | 230 |
| Asheville, NC | $49,030 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,910 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| California | $97,170 |
| Washington | $95,040 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 |
| New York | $81,260 |
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Maryland | $78,850 |
| Illinois | $77,960 |
See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $58,260 a year. Pay ranges from $46,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $69,800 a year. The top 25% earn $62,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,390 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $47,230 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 330 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.