Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in North Carolina
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in North Carolina earn a median of $58,260 a year, based on BLS data for 4,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,990 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $65,120. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay. There are 0.90 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $57,160, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,720 |
| 25th percentile | $48,500 |
| Median | $58,260 |
| 75th percentile | $61,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,990 |
| Average (mean) | $57,160 |
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.
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in cities in North Carolina
| 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $58,260 | 330 |
| 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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in North Carolina is $58,260 a year. Pay ranges from $44,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in North Carolina earn at least $73,990 a year. The top 25% earn $61,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,720 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $48,500 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in North Carolina?
About 4,430 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.