Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $51,800 a year, based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,820 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $66,810. Pay here is 13% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,360. There are 0.46 special education teachers, middle school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $51,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, middle school in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,740 |
| 25th percentile | $45,620 |
| Median | $51,800 |
| 75th percentile | $57,410 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,820 |
| Average (mean) | $51,890 |
Half of special education teachers, middle 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 | $4,316.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,158.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,992.31 |
| Weekly | $996.15 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, middle 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 $51,800 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, Middle School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $76,620 | 860 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $60,670 | 350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,590 | 760 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $60,430 | 500 |
| Asheville, NC | $59,090 | n/a |
| Burlington, NC | $58,970 | 70 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $58,600 | 110 |
| Wilmington, NC | $49,110 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $48,850 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, middle school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $101,530 |
| Washington | $99,520 |
| Rhode Island | $93,970 |
| New York | $93,820 |
| Connecticut | $92,900 |
| Massachusetts | $84,550 |
| Alaska | $81,000 |
| District of Columbia | $79,170 |
| New Jersey | $79,110 |
| Utah | $78,920 |
See Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2057. 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, middle school make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for special education teachers, middle school in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $51,800 a year. Pay ranges from $39,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, middle school make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of special education teachers, middle school in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $59,820 a year. The top 25% earn $57,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, middle school in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,740 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, middle school earn $45,620 or less.
How many special education teachers, middle school work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 70 special education teachers, middle school are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.